Sterculia lanceolata is a kind of small local evergreen wild tree. It is fast growing. It prefers a sheltered sunny position with good soil. It is suitable for planting on riverbanks and hillsides. Wild growing specimens can be found in many country parks in Hong Kong.
In summer, it is one of the most conspicuous evergreen wild trees in Hong Kong on account of its large vivid scarlet fruits. The leaves are elliptical with acute apex and blunt base. The leaf stalk is swollen at each end. Some trees change their leaves in June and July at a time when other trees are usually in full foliage. The brown leaves and bare branches stand out conspicuously and make it easy to recognize.
Its fruits appear around the Weaver Maid Festival (the seventh evenings of the seventh months in Lunar calendar). Thus, it is also named as the ‘Fruit of Weaver Maid’ in Chinese.
Its fruits are favourite of many birds in the forests.