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Thespesia populnea

(L.) Sol. ex Corrêa (1807)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Malvales Family: Malvaceae Genus: Thespesia

milo, mulo, portia tree

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees or arborescent shrubs 5–10(–20) m tall.

Stems: Bark gray, shallowly fissured.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades ovate to deltate or orbicular, 5–30 cm long. Apex usually acuminate. Base cordate. Surfaces shiny yellowish green, glabrous, usually obscurely glandular punctate; lower surfaces with an elongate gland on midrib near base. Margins entire. Petioles usually more than ½ as long as blades. Stipules present, caducous, or absent.

Flowers: Flowers axillary, solitary or in cymes, collectively often forming spicate to paniculate or even head-like inflorescences, +/- with an involucel subtending the calyx, the bracts distinct or basally connate. Flowers bisexual (perfect). Calyx cuplike, composed of connate sepals, essentially truncate, 8–12 mm long at anthesis, valvate in bud, enlarging and flattening in fruit. Corolla actinomorphic to moderately zygomorphic, corolla of 5 petals, yellow, usually with a maroon spot at base, obliquely obovate, distinct from each other but adnate at base to staminal column, crinkled apically 4–7 cm long. Stamens 5 to numerous, monadelphous, forming a staminal column, yellow, up to 3 cm long, usually included, densely antheriferous for most of its length, apex 5-toothed; anthers monothecal. Pollen globose, echinate. Ovary superior, (3–)5-celled, the carpels borne in a single whorl or rarely seemingly superposed whorls; ovules 3 to several per cell, placentation axile; style exceeding the staminal column, unbranched, 5-grooved and twisted; stigmas decurrent.

Fruit: Capsules depressed–globose; leathery; obscurely 5–angled; 2.5–4.5 cm in diameter; dehiscing irregularly with age. Seeds grayish brown; 8–15 mm long; glabrate to densely brown pubescent angled-turbinate; with or without endosperm.

Ploidy: 2n = 24; 26; 28

Habitat: Occurring in protected coastal sites.

Elevation Range: 0–275 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Milo may have been brought by the Polynesians for wood and fiber (Wagner et al. 1990:902); made into "beautiful bowls" for poi (Krauss 1993:22; Malo 1951:23); fruit for yellowish-green dye (Krauss 1993:66); canoe hulls (Abbott 1992:80). Young leaves edible (Lucas 1982: 56). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there is a post-contact example of the wood made into a bowl. An archaeologial site on Lāni‘i yielded a house post identfied as milo.

  • Yellowish green dye (fruit wall)

CULTURE

  • He milo ka la‘au, mimilo ke aloha. Milo is the plant; love goes round and round.

  • There were apparently many milo surrounding the home of Kamehameha I at Waikiki.

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • The leathery seed capsules of Thespesia populnea are spherical and 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The grayish brown seeds are 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. The capsules generally open at maturity releasing about eight seeds. The capsules can also be opened by hand and the seeds removed.
  • The seeds should be scarified (the seed coat penetrated). This can be done using sandpaper, nail clippers, or by cracking with a hammer. Care must be taken to avoid damaging the inner part of the seed. The seeds do not require soaking. The seeds should be planted in sterile potting mix at a depth of about twice the diameter of the seed. Germination takes 14 to 28 days. (NTBG 1996; Wagner 1990) [Data from Herring, E. C., & Criley, R. A. (2003). The Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Web Site: Developing a Webbased Information Resource. HortTechnology, 13(3), 545-548. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/]

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Ka'ula Indigenous
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Only found in cultivation
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean
Wind

Pollinators

Notes

  • Description digitized by Ashley wilson
  • Description digitized from the Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii
  • Thespesia populnea takes on a tree or arborescent shrub shape and is about 5-20 m tall. Further the bark is a gray color.

Bibliography

Name Published In: Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. 9: 290 (1807)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:902 (Ni, K, O, Mo, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:393 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:27 (L); Jonathan Plissner pers. comm. 2025 (Note: recently introduced to Mi for restoration and not yet established); Note: Kl added, based on BISH spms. (R. Daehler s.n., D. Herbst 6213)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Thespesia populnea Aiea, Puu Uau Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-12-07
2 Thespesia populnea Popoia, a small island near Kailua Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
3 Thespesia populnea Kaula Rock; SW end Preserved_Specimen Daehler, R. Kaula Rock BISH 1976-09-15
4 Thespesia populnea Point Island, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6058 Oahu BISH 1978-04-30
5 Thespesia populnea SE corner; foot of plateau Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
6 Thespesia populnea Puako, behind his house Preserved_Specimen Tabrah, F. Hawaii BISH 1966-09-01
7 Thespesia populnea Keehi Lagoon; Burm Island Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6070 Oahu BISH 1978-04-30
8 Thespesia populnea Popoia Island, Kailua Bay Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6020 Oahu BISH 1978-02-07
9 Thespesia populnea Hanauma Bay strand Preserved_Specimen Low, shrubby trees. Flowers yellow, turning reddish brown Crosby, M.R. 1547 Oahu BISH 1964-06-25
10 Thespesia populnea Heeia Top of beach. Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 10136 Oahu BISH 1929-12-29
11 Thespesia populnea Puna: on the rocky coast at Wahaula Forming a windswept grove with hala. Preserved_Specimen Stone, B.C. 2890 Hawaii BISH 1959-06-21
12 Thespesia populnea Kuhio Beach Park sandy Preserved_Specimen 30' spreading woody tree McCulloch, R. 12 Oahu BISH 1975-04-11
13 Thespesia populnea Makawao District: near Kahului Harbor on N side disturbed sandy beach Preserved_Specimen windswept shrubby trees Wagner, W.L. 5825 Maui BISH 1988-03-06
14 Thespesia populnea Lihue, Nawilwili Bay, N shore by Niumalu tidal flats along Hulia Stream strand vegetation with naturalized species including Rhizophora and Pluchea Preserved_Specimen 4-5 m shrub or small tree, the branches erect. Fruit green, drying on plant, becoming dark brown, indehiscent Lorence, D.H. 5140 Kauai BISH 1987-04-03
15 Thespesia populnea Between Awehi and Lopa Scattered along eastern shore of Lanai among Prosopis thickets. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 50620 Lanai BISH 2006-05-11
16 Thespesia populnea Heeia sand Preserved_Specimen Stemmermann, R.L. 442 Oahu BISH 1973-12-25
17 Thespesia populnea Niaupala Fishpond, Kaluaaha edge of salt marsh Preserved_Specimen 5 m x 3 dm tree St.John, H. 19949 Molokai BISH 1939-01-02
18 Thespesia populnea Kailua, Popoia Island Rock thinly covered with sand,alt.1m.Wind beaten bush 1-2 .m. tall. Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 8886 Oahu BISH 1932-11-08
19 Thespesia populnea East Maui, Hana, SE of Kauiki from Kaihalulu Bay to Ka Iwi O Pele Casuarina windbreaks Preserved_Specimen Flynn, T.W. 2545 Maui BISH 1987-10-22
20 Thespesia populnea Molokai old native house yard in dry country Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 129 Molokai BISH 1927-06-23
21 Thespesia populnea Lihue District: Wailua Motocross Growing in ditch next to motocross trail. Megathyrsus maximus Preserved_Specimen Jablonski, J. 87 Kauai BISH 2023-09-13
22 Thespesia populnea Heeia State Park, Kaneohe, Oahu Growing on sandy bank along Heeia Stream near mouth to ocean, flooded tidally with brackish to salt water. Preserved_Specimen Medium tree, many horizontal branches. Crago, L.M. 2005062 Oahu BISH 2005-02-11
23 Thespesia populnea Waimailo, O'ahu a few trees among rocks at coast. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6038 Oahu BISH 1931-08-16
24 Thespesia populnea Kailua, Popoia Island coral rock Preserved_Specimen bushes 2-3 m, wind beaten Fosberg, F.R. 10558 Oahu BISH 1933-03-26
25 Thespesia populnea Kahuku : Turtle Bay 1% slope. Soil, sandy loam. Preserved_Specimen Shinny leaves, seeds borne in woody roundish capsule. Sanchez, S. 1 Oahu BISH 1986-04-01
26 Thespesia populnea Valley E of Hahaione dry slopes Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1623 Oahu BISH 1931-02-25
27 Thespesia populnea Sand Island, N side back of beach; arid Preserved_Specimen 10' tree; foliage shiny. Flowers yellow, turning salmon-colored with age. Fruit brown, woody Herbst, D.R. 665 Oahu BISH 1967-10-19
28 Thespesia populnea Hale Beach Park, 20 mi SE of Hilo roadside Preserved_Specimen 25' tree Little Jr., E.L. 31062 Hawaii BISH 1976-08-17
29 Thespesia populnea Kaalualu Bay near South Point On windswept point in a Scaevola thicket. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m. high. Not in flower, fruit dark brown. Whistler, W.A. 4 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
30 Thespesia populnea Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Visitor Center and main ruins exotic vegetation Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10275 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-08
31 Thespesia populnea Waimanalo rocks at coast Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 6038 Oahu BISH 1931-08-16
32 Thespesia populnea Na Pali Coast, Kalalau Beach Growing between beach and cliff in grove of Aleurites moluccana, Samanea saman, and Prosopis pallida trees. Preserved_Specimen Tree. Corn, C. 311 Kauai BISH 1979-07-16
33 Thespesia populnea Makawao District, near Kahului Harbor on N side disturbed sandy beach Preserved_Specimen windswept shrubby trees Wagner, W.L. 5825 Maui BISH 1988-03-06
34 Thespesia populnea Halalii Lake, N side Edge of lake bed Preserved_Specimen 8 m x 3 dm tree St.John, H. 22748 Niihau BISH 1947-08-12
35 Thespesia populnea Bishop Museum, Dormitory D full sun Preserved_Specimen 5' tree; petals cream with scarlet patches on inner side at the base Lau, J. 1095 Oahu BISH 1985-06-14
36 Thespesia populnea Waimea, Waimea River Above brackish estuary Preserved_Specimen Tree 5 m. tall. Flowers yellow. Fosberg, F.R. 8873 Oahu BISH 1932-11-20
37 Thespesia populnea Kapapa Islet,Kaneohe bay Raised coral reef with shallow,sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6112 Oahu BISH 1978-05-24
38 Thespesia populnea Laie, on old road 1 block from beach Preserved_Specimen 6-8 ft tall trees. Flowers creamy white-yellow with maroon center. Fruit present. Hawley, B. 4 Oahu BISH 1994-12-23
39 Thespesia populnea Sand islet at inner NW corner of triangle formed by seaplane runways, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 1952 Oahu BISH 1971-06-13
40 Thespesia populnea Between Awehi and Lopa Scattered along eastern shore of Lanai among Prosopis thickets. Preserved_Specimen Oppenheimer, H.L. 50620 Lanai BISH 2006-05-11
41 Thespesia populnea Kaula Rock; SW end Preserved_Specimen tree of ~18 x 3 Herbst, D.R. 6213 Kaula Rock BISH 1978-08-21
42 Thespesia populnea Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 446 Oahu BISH 1917-01-01
43 Thespesia populnea Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6188 Oahu BISH 1978-07-29
44 Thespesia populnea Mokauea Island,Keehi Lagoon. , Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6100 Oahu BISH 1978-04-30
45 Thespesia populnea Located near Kalapana Ranger Station on the beach Preserved_Specimen Krajina, V.J. 660627057 Hawaii BISH 1966-06-27
46 Thespesia populnea Honolulu, King St., Bd. of Agric. & For Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 430 Oahu BISH 1927-01-13
47 Thespesia populnea Kalaupapa; airport, oceanview pavilion Preserved_Specimen tree or arborescent shrub Wysong, M.L. 433 Molokai BISH 2004-11-11
48 Thespesia populnea Moanalua Valley Preserved_Specimen Bryan, W.A. 85 Oahu BISH 1903-12-24
49 Thespesia populnea Waimea Beach Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2064 Oahu BISH 1915-02-13
50 Thespesia populnea unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 721 BISH 1864-01-01
51 Thespesia populnea 46-465 Kamehameha Highway at Kealohi Point; Heeia State Park Preserved_Specimen Tree to 5m; flowers yellow with red spot at base of petals. Annable, C.R. 3115 Oahu BISH 1996-11-06
52 Thespesia populnea Mokuauia Islet, Oahu Preserved_Specimen Occasional, a few patches especially on the southwest point where a 25 m x 10 m patch creates a thicket about 3 m tall. Starr, F. 5022223 Oahu BISH 2007-02-22
53 Thespesia populnea Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9962 Oahu BISH 1935-07-03
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