Seven sisters fruit (Sterculia monosperma)

Seven sisters fruit (Sterculia monosperma) is a plant species in the Malvaceae family. It is a large tree with a rounded crown and bark that ranges in color from brown to black. Its leaves are 8–25 cm long and 5–15 cm wide, featuring 6–10 pairs of lateral veins; they are hairless, oblong or elliptical in shape, and have wavy margins. The leaves are attached by petioles measuring 2–3.5 cm.

The flowers are unisexual and lack petals. The calyx is bell-shaped, 1 cm wide, and creamy white—eventually turning reddish—with 5–6 linear lobes that curve toward the center and join at the tips. Male flowers are more numerous than female flowers, which are slightly larger in size.

The fruit is bright red, 5–7 cm long and 3–5 cm wide, with a pointed tip and a leathery texture; it splits open along one side. Each fruit contains 1–4 ellipsoid seeds, measuring 2–3 cm, which are brown to black in color. Inside the seed coat, there is a smooth, yellowish inner layer.

The seeds can be roasted or boiled in salted water and enjoyed as a snack, similar to nuts. They are also stir-fried with chicken as a culinary accompaniment.

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Sterculioideae
Genus: Sterculia L. in Sp. Pl.: 1007 (1753)
Species: Sterculia monosperma Vent. in Jard. Malmaison: t. 91 (1805)
Variety: Sterculia monosperma var. monosperma, Sterculia monosperma var. subspontanea (H.H.Hsue & S.J.Xu) Y.Tang, M.G.Gilbert & Dorr

SYNONYMS

Clompanus monosperma (Vent.) Kuntze in Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 78 (1891)

PUBLICATIONS

Lê, T.C. (2003). Danh lục các loài thực vật Việt Nam 2: 1-1203. Hà Nội : Nhà xuất bản Nông nghiệp.

Newman, M., Ketphanh, S., Svengsuksa, B., Thomas, P., Sengdala, K., Lamxay, V. & Armstrong, K. (2007). A checklist of the vascular plants of Lao PDR: 1-394. Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.

Vent. (1805). In: Jard. Malm. T. 91.

Wu, Z., Raven, P.H. & Hong, D. (eds.) (2007). Flora of China 12: 1-534. Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden Press (St. Louis).

VERNACULAR NAME

Chinese (simplified): 苹婆
Chinese (traditional): 蘋婆 - 鳳眼果
English: Seven sisters' fruit, Chinese chestnut, Thai chestnut, Phoenix eye fruit
Hanzi: 蘋婆
Indonesia: Kelaci, Kacang kelaci, Berangan cina
Japanese: ピンポンノキ
Java: Kelaci
Malaysia: Kelompang
Pinyin: Píngpó
Thai: เกาลัด - เกาลัดไทย

Aryo Bandoro
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