On 23/1/07 23:41, in article lid, "Stewart Robert
Hinsley" wrote:

snip

I don't know Pseudocamellia stewartia. I'm interpreting the photo as
showing a capsule with 5 locules which have separated, so the capsule as
a whole is quite blunt. I would also interpret the capsule as being
chartaceous (parchment-like) rather than woody. A photograph of the
innards of the capsule might assist identification.

I'm sure that it's not Fremontodendron - there's no sign of the fuzz on
the fruit, and I think the OP would have noticed it elsewhere. I never
got seed out of a Fremontodendron, but the mature fruits of
Fremontodendron are quite hard. Also to describe the Fremontodendron as
furry might lead people astray - the seed hairs are quite stiff -
they're not as bad as cacti, at least not being hooked, but they're
quite capable of penetrating skin. The hairs on other parts of the plant
are irritant.

http://www.malvaceae.info/Genera/Fre.../CalGlory.html

Fremontodendron pod:
http://tinyurl.com/2h9hcn
(as I said, we think that's unlikely, if only because of the lack of leaves
on the plant)

I can't find a pic of the seed pod of the Stewartia. The plant is unusual
but not rare. The OP didn't give any description of a flower, so I'm
assuming he hasn't seen one yet but obviously that would help a lot.
Perhaps a neighbour would know?

In the pic of the seed pods they look as if they've been hanging around for
a long time and so are rather dried out. It would be interesting to know
what they look like when fresh.

--
Sacha
http://www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/
(remove weeds from address)