Thespesia acutiloba
| Small-leaved portia tree (Thespesia acutiloba) | |
|---|---|
| Common names | small-leaved portia tree; wild tulip tree; small-leaved tulip tree |
| Scientific name | Thespesia acutiloba |
| Genus | Thespesia |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Order | Malvales |
| Height | about 3–4 m in a home garden; up to 6 m in nature |
| Flowers | yellow; summer to autumn |
| Fruit | fleshy, bright red; up to 15 mm |
Thespesia acutiloba is an accepted species in the family Malvaceae and genus Thespesia.[1] It is a low-growing, semi-deciduous tree with three-lobed leaves, yellow flowers and fleshy red fruits. In cultivation it is described at about 3–4 m, while plants in nature may reach about 6 m.[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The species occurs in coastal Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal and tropical Africa, in woodlands, mangrove fringes, and coastal and riverine forests.[2] The foliage is three-lobed, and the yellow flowers are produced from summer into autumn. The fleshy fruits become bright red and reach up to about 15 mm, with maturation reported in late summer and autumn.[2] GBIF lists Indian-Tulip among the common names associated with the accepted taxon.[3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Its native settings include coastal and riverine forests, woodlands and mangrove fringes. Use well-drained soil and avoid leaving a container or planting site permanently waterlogged. The species is described as drought tolerant, but that does not establish a fixed irrigation interval for every soil or climate.[2] It can be grown in a container when drainage is good; pruning can be used to control its shape.[2]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
The mix of woodland, coastal and riverine habitats suggests that bright light with some shelter from drying exposure is a reasonable starting position; adjust the site to maintain airflow without allowing a young plant to scorch or dry rapidly. This is a habitat-based inference rather than a tested light or humidity threshold for every garden.[2] The species is also described as tolerant of salt spray, which may be useful in exposed coastal plantings but should not be read as a universal salinity limit.[2]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
Flowering extends from summer into autumn, followed by red fruit that matures in late summer and autumn.[2] In cultivation, keep water available while a container plant is actively growing and forming flowers or fruit, then monitor drying more closely through the drier part of the year. Recorded drought tolerance supports flexibility once established, but does not replace observation of the plant and its potting medium.[2]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Scarify seed or soak it overnight before sowing in equal parts sand and compost; germination is described at about 14–28 days.[2] Keep the medium draining rather than saturated while seedlings establish.
Semi-hardwood cuttings are another documented route. Insert cuttings about 300 mm long in river sand with rooting hormone and protect them from direct sun; rooting is described after about four weeks.[2] These timings are approximate and are not a guaranteed success rate or universal schedule. No grafting method, rootstock recommendation or bearing-age value is established here.
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The yellow flowers are produced in summer and autumn, and the fleshy fruits mature to bright red in late summer and autumn.[2] Pick timing should be judged by the fruit's development and color on the individual plant rather than by a fixed calendar, especially outside the native climate. The fruit is reported to reach up to about 15 mm.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
Bird attraction is documented, and traditional uses include the wood, fibre, dye and soaked roots.[2] Human food use and safety are not established for the red fruit, so it is not presented as a food crop.