What is "sterculia"

n. Any of a a number of tropical trees and shrubs, of the genus ''Sterculia'', many of which bear commercially important, oil-rich seeds

n. any tree of the genus Sterculia

Sterculia is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It was previously placed in the now obsolete Sterculiaceae. Members of the genus are colloquially known as tropical chestnuts. The scientific name is taken from Sterculius of Roman mythology, who was the god of manure; this is in reference to the unpleasant aroma of the flowers of this genus (e.g., Sterculia foetida).

Sterculia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf miner Bucculatrix xenaula, which feeds exclusively on the genus.

Gum karaya is extracted from Sterculia species, and is used as a thickener and emulsifier in foods, as a laxative, and as a denture adhesive.