sterculiaceous Meaning, Definition & Usage

Ster*cu`li*a"ceous adjective

Etymology

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.

Definitions

1. (Bot.) 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.