African Star-chestnut & Large-leaved star-chestnut

CONSPICUOUS against the rocky outcrops on which they usually grow, both these trees are easy to recognise. They are large trees with a beautiful thick smooth trunk.

They bear large, golden-brown, velvety fruits consisting of one to five follicles, arranged in the shape of a star. The follicles split open along one seam, revealing a wreath of stinging hairs along the edge and below that, a row of large seeds.

Names: A. afrikaanse sterkastaiing & grootblaar sterkastaiing; G. Sterkulie; H. omuhako, omumbambahako both for S. africana and S. quinqueloba.

The African star-chestnut occurs from the Kunene along the escarpment up to the Rehoboth district and also in the Caprivi, mostly on rocky outcrops and hill slopes. The distribution of the large-leafed star-chestnut is restricted to the escarpment from Kaokoland to a few rocky outcrops north of Solitaire.

The trunk of the African star-chestnut is smooth, the colour varying from dark purple, red or brown to silvery white, revealing a beautifully marbled paler under layer where the bark peels. That of the large-leafed star-chestnut appears very white due to a powdery white substance (bloom) that rubs off. This tree is of tropical origin and the white bloom only occurs on trees growing in the arid western parts of Namibia. The bark may also peel, showing a sea-green colour when fresh. The trunks of both species are beautiful to look at and to feel and it is well worth while to stop and to climb up to these trees for a closer look.

The African star-chestnut has fairly large, long-stemmed leaves, somewhat wider than long with three to five lobes. The colour is olive green and the leaves are sparsely or densely hairy, making them rough to the touch. The leaves of the large-leaved species are much larger and can measure up to 40 cm across! They are divided into five distinct lobes, referred to in the botanical species name quinqueloba, and grow clustered towards the tips of the branches like those of the African star-chestnut. The colour is dark yellow-green above and greyish yellow below. In autumn they turn a beautiful golden yellow. In very dry years the large-leafed star-chestnut in particular does not produce any leaves at all.

The flowers of the African star-chestnut are either male or female, both occurring on the same tree. They have no petals but an attractive greenish yellow, cup-shaped calyx with red stripes, about 25 mm in diameter. The flowers of the large-leafed species are also either male or female, inconspicuous but very numerous.

Woody, strongly beaked, covered with velvety, golden brown hairs, the boat-shaped fruits grow in star shaped clusters of 3 to 5 follicles on the African star-chestnut, while the fruits of the large-leafed species are smaller, separate and more rounded at the tip. Both split open along the upper seam, revealing a wreath of black seeds among intensely irritating hairs. The blue-grey seeds of the African star-chestnut have a small bright orange or white aril. They resemble bloated ticks, can be roasted and are highly valued for their fat content.

The large-leafed sterculia is a more slender tree than the African star-chestnut and never has the purple trunk so typical of the latter.

Ropes and hats may be fashioned from the bark of the African star-chestnut. An infusion of the bark relieves post-natal cramps and stomach upsets.

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