The Collaborative International Dictionary
Sterculiaceous
Sterculiaceous \Ster*cu`li*a"ceous\, a. [NL. Sterculia, the typical genus, fr. L. Sterculius the deity that presided over manuring, from stercus dung. So called because one of the original species is fetid.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order ( Sterculiace[ae]) of polypetalous exogenous plants, mostly tropical. The cacao ( Theobroma Cacao) is the most useful plant of the order.
Wiktionary
sterculiaceous
a. (context botany English) Of or relating to the Sterculiaceae, a former name for Malvaceae of polypetalous exogenous plants, mostly tropical, including the cocoa plant.