Wild Almond tree

Scientific name: Sterculia foetida

GPS Location: 17° 42′ 56.62″ N, 64° 49′ 46.39″ W

Observations:

1. Leaf Behavior
Sterculia foetida is deciduous, typically shedding its leaves during the dry season.

Leaves are palmately compound, usually with 5–9 oblong leaflets arranged like fingers on a hand.
Leaf drop occurs between January and March, often preceding flowering.
New leaf flushes emerge quickly with rainfall or seasonal shifts, typically in March–April.

Observation Tips:

Watch for complete canopy loss during dry months.
Record the first appearance of new leaflets, noting their bronze or reddish-green hue.

2. Flowering
Flowers are small, reddish to purplish, and borne in loose clusters at the branch tips.

They are unisexual, and both male and female flowers are found on the same tree.
The flowers may emit a strong, unpleasant odor, particularly in the early blooming stages.
Flowering begins just before or during leaf flush, usually March to May.

Observation Tips:

3. Fruiting
The fruit is a large, woody, capsule, that splits open when mature.

Inside each capsule are several smooth, black seeds—these resemble almonds in shape but are inedible raw and potentially toxic.
Fruits mature from May to July, and the seeds are sometimes roasted in traditional settings after detoxification.

Observation Tips:

Document fruit development, including capsule size, color change, and opening.
Note seed exposure and animal interaction—some birds may investigate them, though few consume them.

4. Growth Habit
This species grows as a tall, fast-growing deciduous tree, reaching 60–100 feet in favorable conditions.

The trunk is often straight and branch-free for many feet, topped by a rounded to spreading canopy.
Commonly found in dry coastal forests or planted as an ornamental or shade tree in tropical regions.

5. Seasonal Pattern (St. Croix)