Indian Tulip Tree

thespesia populnea

The Indian Tulip Tree (Thespesia populnea), also known as the Portia Tree or Pacific Rosewood, is a versatile, evergreen coastal tree beloved across tropical shores. Renowned for its beautiful, hibiscus-like yellow flowers that deepen to purple as they age, this resilient plant plays a vital role in coastal ecosystems. It thrives in salty, sandy environments where few other trees can survive, helping to stabilize shorelines and acting as a natural windbreak. In addition to its ecological benefits, the tree is deeply woven into human culture. Its dense, durable wood has historically been prized by Pacific islanders for carving canoes, bowls, and sacred objects, while every part of the tree, from its oil-rich seeds to its leaves and bark, has found a place in traditional medicine.

Habitat: Found in tropical coastal strand environments, mangrove edges, sandy beaches, and estuarine shores.

Appearance

Growing up to 10 to 12 meters tall, the Indian Tulip Tree features a broad, spreading crown densely packed with glossy, heart-shaped leaves that measure 5 to 15 cm long. Its most striking feature is its cup-shaped flowers, which emerge a bright primrose yellow with a dark red throat, only to fade to a dusky pink, orange-bronze, and finally purple by day's end. The fruit is a flattened, globose woody capsule about 3 cm wide containing small, fuzzy seeds.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderMalvalesFamilyMalvaceaeGenusThespesia

Indian Tulip Tree

Interesting facts

In Hawaii, the wood of this tree is known as 'milo' and was traditionally used by royalty to carve elegant food bowls because the wood does not impart a bad taste.

Its buoyant seed pods can float in highly saline ocean water for months without losing seed viability.

The flowers undergo a striking color change, blooming yellow in the morning and turning reddish-purple by evening.

Special abilities

Possesses specialized physiological mechanisms to tolerate extreme salinity, allowing it to thrive when splashed by seawater.

Produces lightweight, air-filled seed capsules that float effortlessly on ocean currents, enabling long-distance oceanic dispersal.

Develops an extensive, resilient root system that binds loose sandy soil and protects coastlines from heavy wave erosion.

Measurements & details

Length: 500-1500 cm
Lifespan: 20-80 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photoautotroph, this tree produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Water
Carbon Dioxide
Soil Minerals

Ecological connections

host plant

Cotton Stainer Bug

Dysdercus cingulatus

Feeds on the seeds and sap of the tree, utilizing it as a primary host.

mutualism

Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

Visits the vibrant flowers to collect nectar and pollen, acting as an effective pollinator.

competitor

Red Mangrove

Rhizophora mangle

Competes for light, space, and root space along muddy, tropical estuarine shorelines.

Traits

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Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Indian Tulip Tree?

The easiest way to identify Indian Tulip Tree is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Indian Tulip Tree?

500-1500 cm

How long does Indian Tulip Tree live?

20-80 years

What does Indian Tulip Tree eat?

As a photoautotroph, this tree produces its own organic compounds using sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients absorbed from the soil.

Where is Indian Tulip Tree usually found?

Found in tropical coastal strand environments, mangrove edges, sandy beaches, and estuarine shores.