Sterculia foetida

Name and publication

Sterculia foetida L., Sp. Pl. 2: 1008 (1753).

Description

Fruits of the Indian-almond or Java-olive are sold as “badam fruit” but rarely encountered in imported potpourri. Follicles are boat-shaped, typically dark brown to black, shiny on the interior, lightly ribbed on both surfaces, 8-14 cm long, held in star-like clusters of five follicles but broken apart for sale.

Nativity and distribution

Sterculia foetida is native to Asia and Australia but cultivated elsewhere in the tropics.

Family

Malvaceae, also placed in Sterculiaceae