Sterculioideae
Guides
Scaphium
malva nut
Scaphium is a genus of approximately eight species of tropical canopy trees in the family Malvaceae, subfamily Sterculioideae. Species are native to tropical Asia, ranging from the eastern Himalayas through Indochina to Borneo and Sumatra. The genus name derives from the Greek skaphion (skiff), referring to the boat-shaped fruit. Several species are economically important; seeds of S. scaphigerum (malva nut) are used in traditional medicine and as a food additive for their mucilaginous properties.