Portia Tree
Thespesia populnea
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Thespesia
- Species:
- Thespesia populnea
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Native Range
United States: Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Palau, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands
Host Plant for Caterpillars
banana moth (Opogona aurisquamosa), Pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), pink bollworm (Pectinophora scutigera)
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in coastal areas and tolerates saline conditions.
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Mechanical scarification and an overnight soaking in clean water.
Establishment: Seed capsules can be collected from the ground or picked from the tree once mature. The plant is believed to be native to Old World Tropics and naturalized in many Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and areas of tropical America.
Source: npn.rngr.net