Sterculiaceae

Chocolate Family

By: George Rogers

A worldwide family of some 67 genera and almost 1800 species(SMI). The plants are usually woody with stipulate, palmate leaves.  Hairs stellate.  Flowers usually in cymes, usually round, with parts in multiples of 5; petals 5, these free from each other, stamens 5 to numerous, often in clusters opposite the petals.  Ovary superior, the carpels 1-5.  Cultivated genera include Theobroma (chocolate), Cola, Brachychiton (Bottle-Trees), and Firmiana (Chinese Parasol).

Similar to Malvaceae and Bombacaceae but these families have 1-celled anthers (vs. 2-celled in Sterculiaceae).

Plants listed in the manual include:

Dombeya elegans

Dombeya wallichii

Melochia tomentosa