Wild almond Sterculia (Sterculia foetida)

Sterculia foetida is a tall tree whose flowers smell strongly of rotting meat — foetida means “stinking”. It is planted in Indian towns and coastal compounds for its shade, its tiered crown and its big scarlet seed pods. The seeds are roasted and eaten in parts of Southeast Asia, but their oil contains unusual fatty acids, and caution is wise.

Botanical name: Sterculia foetida L.
Family: Malvaceae
Tamil: Pinari
Hindi: Jangli badam
Parts used: Seed (after a roast in some kitchens)
Habit: Stinking Sterculia; badam is a shop word
Last updated: 2026-10-25

How to recognise Wild almond Sterculia

The leaves are palmately compound, with seven to nine leaflets radiating from one point, clustered at the branch tips.

Flowers are dull red to purple, in sprays, appearing when the tree is leafless. You smell them before you see them.

The fruit is a cluster of large, boat-shaped, woody pods that ripen bright scarlet and split to show rows of shiny black seeds.

Almond, Prunus dulcis, is a temperate fruit tree. The names jangli badam and Java olive are only comparisons.

Traditional use of Wild almond Sterculia

Food

In Indonesia and the Philippines the seeds are roasted and eaten like nuts. In India they are a minor food.

Southeast Asian practice

Planting

It is grown as a shade and avenue tree, and seed oil has been used for lamps.

Tropical Asian practice

Modern notes on Wild almond Sterculia

The seed oil contains sterculic acid and other cyclopropenoid fatty acids, which interfere with fat metabolism in animal studies. That is a reason not to eat the seeds in quantity.

Some researchers study the oil as a raw material for biodiesel.

Wild almond Sterculia safety

Do not eat raw seeds, and treat roasted seeds as an occasional food at most. Hairs inside the pods irritate skin.

Ecology and sourcing

It is native from East Africa and India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia, often near coasts.

The foul-smelling flowers attract flies and other carrion insects as pollinators.

Related plants

Also in Malvaceae

Questions about Wild almond Sterculia

Is Wild almond Sterculia almond?

No. True almond is Prunus dulcis. The seeds only look nut-like.

Why does Wild almond Sterculia stink?

The flowers mimic rotting flesh to attract flies.

Are the seeds of Wild almond Sterculia safe?

They are roasted and eaten in some countries, but the oil has compounds of concern. Eat them sparingly, if at all.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.