Category:Sterculiaceous

Ster*cu`li*a"ceous, a. Etym: [nl. Sterculia, the typical genus, fr. L. Sterculius the deity that presided over manuring, from stercus Dung. So called because one of the original species is fetid.] (bot.)

Defn: of or pertaining to a natural order (sterculiaceæ) of Polypetalous exogenous plants, mostly tropical. The cacao (theobroma Cacao) is the most useful plant of the order.