Main site sections:
Plants section links:

Location

  • San Diego Zoo

Bloom time (approximate):

  • Late winter to early spring

Gardens

Plants: Species

Dombeya: Red Ball or Strawberry Snowball Tree Dombeya cacuminum

FAMILY: STERCULIACEAE (Cacao or Chocolate Family)

Believe it or not, dombeyas are members of the chocolate family (Sterculiaceae), although in a different genus than cocoa trees. Several magnificent Dombeya species make their home in the Zoo, with blossoms ranging from white, to pink, to orange. Fern Canyon's red ball or strawberry snowball tree Dombeya cacuminum is an evergreen native of Madagascar, and the gold color on the edge of its blossoms is actually pollen.