Portia tree.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Media

Tipo de planta

Evergreen tree

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 3 a 7 días

Tamaño adulto

30 to 40 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Rápido

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Year round in tropical climates

Cuidados

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.

Riego

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

Abonado

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

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

Trasplante

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

Suelo

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 8.0

Temperatura

10 a 35°C

Humedad

60 a 90%

Seguridad

Personas

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

Niños

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

Alérgenos por contacto

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Comestibilidad

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

Cómo identificarla

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

Altura

5 a 15m

Anchura

3 a 8m

Hojas

green, evergreen

Flores

yellow, maroon, 5 a 8cm

Frutos

brown, black, Year round

Problemas frecuentes

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

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, cuttings

Cuándo plantar

Spring, Summer, Autumn

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

Buenas compañeras

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

Especies parecidas

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

Ciencia

Familia

Malvaceae

Género

Thespesia

Orden

Malvales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

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

Conservación

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.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source, shelter for coastal birds

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

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

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

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.

De dónde viene el nombre

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

Bueno saberlo

• 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.