Portia tree.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Evergreen tree

Lumière

Full sun

Lumière en intérieur

Soleil direct

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

30 to 40 feet

Croissance

Rapide

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Year round in tropical climates

Entretien

Keep this tree in a spot with plenty of sunshine to encourage healthy growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or poor drainage. It is quite salt tolerant, so it handles coastal breezes like a champ.

Arrosage

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Engrais

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Taille

Trim back branches once a year to maintain a desired shape or size.

Rempotage

Move to a larger container once the roots begin to circle the bottom.

Sol

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

pH du sol

6.0 to 8.0

Température

10 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Sécurité

Humains

The plant contains compounds that can be irritating if ingested or handled excessively.

Enfants

Keep children away from the seed pods as they can be a choking hazard.

Allergènes de contact

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Comestibilité

The plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress.

Comment l'identifier

• Heart shaped glossy green leaves
• Bright yellow cup shaped flowers
• Flowers age to deep purple
• Round woody seed capsules
• Smooth greyish brown bark

Hauteur

5 à 15m

Envergure

3 à 8m

Feuilles

green, evergreen

Fleurs

yellow, maroon, 5 à 8cm

Fruits

brown, black, Year round

Problèmes courants

• Aphids — Small insects that suck sap from new growth.
• Leaf spot — Fungal infection causing dark spots on foliage.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Pair with other salt tolerant coastal plants to create a resilient windbreak.

Bonnes associations

• Sea grape — They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
• Ipomoea pes-caprae — This groundcover helps retain moisture at the base of the tree.

Espèces similaires

• Hibiscus — They share the same family and similar flower structures.

Science

Famille

Malvaceae

Genre

Thespesia

Ordre

Malvales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

Tropical regions of the Old World, including Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Préservation

Not currently threatened, but it is often managed in coastal areas to prevent erosion.

It is a pioneer species that stabilizes coastal dunes and withstands salt spray.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source, shelter for coastal birds

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

ornamental shade tree, coastal erosion control, woodworking, traditional medicine

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it grows best in full sun.

Can it grow in sand?

It is highly tolerant of sandy, saline soils.

D'où vient le nom

Thespesia comes from the Greek word for divine, while populnea refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the poplar tree.

Bon à savoir

• It is often called the Portia tree.
• The flowers change color from yellow to deep red as they age.
• It thrives in salty coastal environments.
• The seeds are buoyant and spread by ocean currents.