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Botanical Family · Malvales

Sterculiaceae

Cacao/Cola family

33 speciesOrder Malvales8+ well-known plants

Now merged into Malvaceae, this tropical family includes cacao (Theobroma cacao) — the source of chocolate — and cola nuts (Cola). Trees and shrubs with mucilaginous sap and distinctive flowers where petals are sometimes absent or reduced to stamen tubes.

Browse all 33 species ↓
Representative STERCULIACEAE specimen
Representative specimen · Sterculiaceae
Key pattern

Alternate, often palmately veined leaves with mucilaginous inner bark; flowers frequently lack true petals altogether, relying instead on a petal-like calyx for colour, while the stamens fuse into a short column or bundle around the pistil.

Source of cacao and cola nuts — many genera pack theobromine- and caffeine-related alkaloids into their seeds, the basis of chocolate and traditional cola beverages.

Identify the species

Which Sterculiaceae species is this?

Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Sterculiaceae species.

Click a node to trace its path · pinch or scroll to zoom · drag to pan
Flower ColorWhat color are the flowers?
Pink
Red
Red/scarlet
White/cream
Yellow-green
Yellow-green, spotted
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Herb
Tree
Leaf ShapeWhat is the overall shape of the leaf blade?
Elliptic
Maple-like lobed
Orbicular (round)
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Shrub
Tree
Leaf ShapeWhat is the overall shape of the leaf blade?
Elliptic (widest at middle)
Orbicular (round)
Ovate
Leaf ShapeWhat is the overall shape of the leaf blade?
Elliptic (widest at middle)
Lanceolate
Lanceolate (long, narrow, tapering to a point)
Maple-like lobed
Obovate
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Small tree
Subshrub/herb
Tree
Tree/shrub
Leaf ShapeWhat is the overall shape of the leaf blade?
Elliptic (widest at middle)
Lanceolate (long, narrow, tapering to a point)
Orbicular (round)
Ovate
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Shrub
Subshrub/herb
Tree

How to recognise the Sterculiaceae family

  • 01

    Stamens often in bundles or fused tube

  • 02

    Mucilaginous inner bark tissue

  • 03

    Includes Cacao, Cola, and Sterculia

Typical leaf characters

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Typical flower & fruit

Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.

Notable members

Devil's CottonAbroma augustaFlame TreeBrachychiton acerifoliusBroad-Leaved BottletreeBrachychiton australisCommon Hog WeedByttneria herbaceaDeccan SalmonwoodEriolaena hookerianaFive-Celled SalmonwoodEriolaena quinquelocularisScarlet Sterculia, Colored Sterculia, Hill GossypiumFirmiana colorataHoney-Fruit Tree, Bastard Cedar, West-Indian ElmGuazuma ulmifolia

All 33 species in STERCULIACEAE

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