peanut tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• orange-fruit kurrajong
• orange-fruit sterculia
• peanut-tree
• red-fruit kurrajong
• scarlet-fruit kurrajong
• small-flower kurrajong
• smooth-seed kurrajong
• white crowsfoot
• Kuman
• Peanut bush
• Peanut tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clompanus quadrifida

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales, it is further categorized under the family Malvaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Sterculia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across various regions of the Australian continent. It can be found growing in the tropical and subtropical landscapes of Queensland. Furthermore, its presence extends into the unique environments of the Northern Territory. The species is also documented within the coastal and inland areas of New South Wales. Finally, its geographical range reaches the western reaches of the country in Western Australia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Sterculia quadrifidida is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons and maintains its biological functions over a long duration. As a long-lived woody plant, its developmental trajectory moves from initial seedling establishment through a prolonged vegetative growth phase, during which it develops a robust structural framework to support its eventual reproductive stages. The lifecycle is marked by seasonal rhythms that govern its metabolic activities, leading to periodic flowering and fruiting cycles typical of perennial woody taxa. Unlike annual or biennial plants that complete their life cycle in a single or dual season, this species invests significant energy into perennial survival, ensuring long-term presence within its ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Sterculia quadrifidida is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, functioning as a self-supporting organism that is neither a climber nor a parasite, maintaining an independent lifestyle. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic habits. The stature of the species is substantial, with a plant height that ranges from a minimum of 2 m to a maximum of 20 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

20 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Sterculia quadrifidda is characterized by its specific metabolic and morphological adaptations, most notably utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. Its vegetative development is defined by distinct leaf dimensions, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while the leaf width varies between 4 cm and 8 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the availability of nitrogen within the soil ecosystem rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing mechanisms.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Sterculia quadrifidida is characterized by a sexual reproductive strategy that is monoecious, meaning that both male and female reproductive organs are present within the same flower, facilitating pollination processes. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops its seeds within a specific fruit type known as a follicle. These follicular fruits are typically dehiscent, splitting open at maturity to release the seeds, which serves as a primary mechanism for dispersal and the continuation of the species' life cycle.

Fruit type :

follicle

Reproduction sexual :

monoecious

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Sterculia quadrifida has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Conditions

Sterculia quadrifida has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include wounds.

Wounds

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM