Sterculia urens
Gum KarayaThis tropical ornamental tree is medium in size and deciduous, grows horizontal spreading branches and a short crooked trunk, making it perfect as a bonsai specimen as well as a tropical ornamental container plant. The smooth bark may peel off in papery flakes lending the tree a unique visual attribute. Star-shaped flowers peek out from forest green leaves. Maple like leaves crowd the branches in a lush forest look. Protect from all frost. Seedlings will need a lot of light to grow well. Blossoms attract pollinators, like butterflies and hummingbirds, filling the plant with all kinds of activity. This tree is highly prized by collectors worldwide and seed is hard to get so don’t wait and buy yours today!
Flowers greenish yellow, are polygamous, (having male, female and bisexual flowers on the same tree.)
Trees exude gum karaya used in foodstuffs as stabilizers and thickeners. Dark pink - purple 5 lobed fruits follow. This tree is useful as a bonsai work of art because of the twisting, crooked branches as well as a container tropical.