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Thespesia populnea (L.)Sol. ex Corrêa
Portia Tree
Seaside Mahoe
Spanish Cork
Not native to Florida
This plant is an invasive exotic that is altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives.
This species should never be planted (many with this designation are prohibited by law), and generally should be removed whenever possible.
A rare invasive of coastal hammocks and beaches from Sarasota and Brevard Counties southward. Found in tropical areas worldwide, its nativity in many places is disputed, although most believe that it is at least native to the Pacific Islands.
Portia trees grow from 6-10m (20-33 ft.) tall with trunks reaching 20–30 cm (8 to 12 in) in diameter. The heart-shaped leaves are alternate with stipules 3-7mm (~1/8 to 1/4 in.) long and petioles that are 2/3 to equal the length of the blade which can be 6-13cm (2-1/3 to 5-1/8 in.) long. The leaf venation is palmate and the tip comes to a narrow point. The large pale-yellow flowers have five petals each with a dark reddish spot near the base. Stamens are about half the length of the petals with the style longer than the stamens. Fruit is a five-celled capsule containing 8-9mm (~1/3 in.) seeds.
Thespesia populnea is a member of the Malvaceae - Mallow family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Dec 05, 2023
