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Portia Tree
Thespesia populnea
Pacific Rosewood, Bebaru/Baru Baru (Malay), Milo (Hawaii)

Originally from the Old World, the Portia Tree was brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. The Tahitians considered it sacred and grew it near places of worship. Its name Thespesia means "divinely decreed" and was given by Daniel Solander who saw it in Tahiti as a member of Captain Cook's ship. It is mostly found along the coast. Its leaves turn yellow seasonally.

It is the host of the Cotton Stainer Bug (Dysdercus decussatus), and the plant was eradicated in many cotton-growing areas to eliminate this insect.

Uses as food: The fruits, flowers and young leaves are edible.

Other uses: The timber is hard, termite-resistant, has an attractive grain and dark-red colour, and is naturally oily so it can be highly polished (thus it is also called Pacific Rosewood). But the timber is often twisted and rarely found in large pieces so it makes only small items. As the timber does not impart a flavour, it is often used to carve wooden food bowls and food utensils in Hawaii.

The tough fibrous bark is made into rope (Hawaii and elsewhere) but is not as good for this purpose as Sea Hibiscus is. The bark is also used to caulk boats (Malay). Cork is made from the inner bark.

A yellow dye is obtained from the flower and fruits, and a red one from the bark and heartwood.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Mangrove associate. A spreading habit, grows to 10-12m tall.

Bark: Brown, corrugated. Scaly twigs.

Leaves: Small, heart-shaped, shiny green.

Flowers: Pale yellow without red stigma as in Sea Hibiscus. Last for only one day, turning maroon and dropping then.

Fruits: Capsule is a flattened leathery sphere with disc-like sepals. Green at first, turning brown then black as it ripens and dries. The capsule then opens releasing 8-15 black seeds.

Similar plant: Sea Hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus): flowers appear similar, yellow with maroon eye and also turn dull orange with age, but have dark red stigma, and fall off the same evening or
flower
ripe fruit
seeds
sliced unripe fruit
Photo from
Peter Ng and Sivasothi
day after; leaves have slits on their underveins that secrete nectar; fruits and timber are different.

Status in Singapore: Common in suitable habitats.

World distribution: Native to the Old World, introduced and naturalised in the New World.

Classification: Family Malvaceae. World 1 mangrove associated species.
Other products extracted from the plant includes tannin, oil and gums (a dark red resin exudes from the bark). A fast growing shrub that grows into a small tree with spreading branches, it casts welcome shade and in Hawaii were planted near homes for this purpose. In India, they were planted to provide shade in coffee and tea plantations.

Traditional medicinal uses: Ground up bark is used to treat skin diseases (India), dysentery and haemorrhoids (Mauritius). Leaves are applied to inflamed and swollen joints (South India). When cut, the young fruit secretes a yellow sticky sap used to treat ringworm and other skin diseases (South India). Roots are used as a tonic. There is some modern investigation of the plant's effects on high blood pressure.

Role in the habitat: Like other mangrove associates, these plants provide shelter and food to many creatures of the mangroves.

LINKS REFERENCES
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Nature's Niche

  • Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi, "A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore I: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity", Singapore Science Centre, 1999 (p. 143-44: description, habit, photo).
  • E. J. H. Corner, "Wayside Trees of Malaya: Vol II", Malayan Nature Society, 4th ed., 1997 (p. 483: description, habit).
  • Brian D. Morley with paintings by Barbara Everard, "Wild Flowers of the World", Avenel Books, 1970 (p. 116: meaning of name, dyes obtained).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001