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STERCULIACEAE

The Sterculiaceae are trees, shrubs, or herbs comprising about 65 genera and
1,000 species that are further characterized by the presence of stellate hairs.
The leaves are alternate and simple or infrequently palmately lobed or compound;
stipules are present but they are shed early. The flowers are actinomorphic or
rarely zygomorphic, and are bisexual or not uncommonly functionally unisexual.
The perianth is commonly uniseriate, consisting of 3-5 valvate, basally connate
sepals, but sometimes an equal number of petals are also present. The androecium
most frequently consists of two whorls of 5 stamens each, these united by their
filaments into a tube that commonly surrounds the ovary or arises from an
androgynophore. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of usually
4-5 sometimes weakly associated carpels, an equal number of distinct or
variously connate styles, and a superior ovary with usually 4-5 locules, each
with 2-several axile ovules. The fruit is variable; sometimes the carpels are
completely distinct at maturity.

Each "thumbnail" image below is linked to a larger photograph.

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Brachychiton acerifolium, flame tree. Note uniseriate perianth, part of which
has been cut away in both flowers illustrated. The middle photo shows a
functionally female flower. The right photo depicts a functionally male flower.
Brachychiton discolor.



Cola acuminata, cola nut. 3,4 - male flowers, 5 - male (l) and female (r), 1-5 -
Lyon Arboretum, Manoa, HI.



Commersonia sp. Dombeya sp. Note staminal column with 5 tongue-like staminodes
and about 15 stamens. Firmiana sp. This capsule developed from a single flower.
At this point the carpels are nearly distinct and each bears a striking
resemblance to a modified leaf with marginal seeds. Fremontodendron californica.
In this species the flowers are bisexual and have a well developed corolla. The
style of the functional pistil is protruding from the column formed by the
monadelphous whorl of 5 functional stamens. Guazuma ulmifolia, West Indian elm.
In this species the sepals are somewhat ephemeral. The small yellowish petals
are slightly hooded and have a forked brownish appendage. A monadelphous column
of greenish stamens surrounds the light green pistil visible in the center of
the open flower. Heritiera littoralis, looking-glass tree. The upper flower is
functionally female, the lower flower is functionally male.



Melochia umbellata, melochia. Pterygota alata, Buddhas coconut. These are
unisexual flowers with a single perianth whorl consisting of a valvate calyx.
One sepal has been removed to reveal the interior of the flowers. On the left is
a female flower with vestigial anthers visible at the base of the ovary. The
pistil has 5 distinct styles. The male flower on the right has functional
stamens united into a monadelphous column.



Sterculia foetida, skunk tree. These are functionally unisexual flowers with a
single perianth whorl constituting a valvate calyx. On the left is a female
flower with the anthers of vestigial stamens visible around the base of the
stalked ovary. The flower on the right shows little or no evidence of an ovary.
The stamens are functional and united into a monadelphous column.



Sterculia sp. Theobroma cacao, cocoa.  The seeds in these richly colored fruits
are the source of chocolate. Waltheria indica, 'uhaloa. This native Hawaiian
species is used to brew a tea for treating sore throat. Notice the brown linear
stipule at the upper node and the brown stipular scar at the middle and lower
nodes.

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