Thespesia Populnea 15 Seeds, Indian Tulip Portia Tree Flowering Pacific Rosewood

The Plant Attraction

$3.99 

Thespesia populnea
Also known as: Portia Tree, Pacific Rosewood, Indian Tulip Tree, Milo

Here is a evergreen small tree or large shrub reaching a height of about 10 meters and up to 60 cm in trunk diameter upon maturity. It is fast-growing and its bole is short and often crooked. The flowers are yellow, bell-shaped, and occur singly. They are pollinated by birds and it is noted for attracting wildlife. Fruits are rounded capsules. The leaves are thin, bluish green, and broadly heart-shaped. Young leaves, flowers, and flower buds can be eaten raw or cooked. The fruits are preserved and eaten. Unripe fruits are eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable.

Plant parts, particularly the bark, root, leaves, flowers, and fruits, are all used in traditional medicine against a wide range of conditions like pleurisy, cholera, colic, fevers, herpes, urinary tract problems, abdominal swellings, hair lice, swollen testicles, rheumatism, coughs, influenza, headaches, skin diseases, hemorrhoids, colds, etc. Caution is advised as the root can be toxic. The bark is a source of tannins. It also yields a strong fiber used for cordage, fishing lines, coffee bags, and for caulking boats. Seed oil can be used in lamps. The wood, fruits, flowers, and leaves all yield dye. Fruits, flowers, and bark also yield gums. The leaves are used as food wrapper. The wood is highly valued for light construction, floor molding, musical instruments, utensils, vehicle bodies, boat building, fuel, etc.

Fully established plants are highly tolerant to drought, strong winds, and saline conditions. Such characteristics make this species suitable for coastal erosion control. It cannot grow in the shade. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils. It is cold-sensitive, but can stand mild frosts. USDA Zones 9-11

This offer is for 15 seeds.