II.VII. Sterculia africana var. socotrana (K. Schum.) Fiori

Sterculia africana var. socotrana is a tree often up to 10–15 m tall, with smooth grayish to rusty bark. The largest tree in the island. The leaves are alternate, petiolate, round to ovate in outline, usually shallowly three-lobed, 3.5–10 cm long and 3–8 cm wide, usually glabrous above, shortly pubescent with stellate hairs on the underside, heart-shaped at the base, lobes pointed at the apex. Inflorescence short racemose or paniculate, flowers bell-shaped, 7–8 mm long, greenish or yellowish, with red spots. The fruits are ellipsoidal capsules. Widespread through the island in low and middle elevations mostly in the slopes, the population counts 2,240 adult individuals, in less accessible area sis possible to find also young offspring, event the species is palatable for goats.

Figure. Sterculia africana var. socotrana (K. Schum.) Fiori

Figure. Distribution map of Sterculia africana var. socotrana