Thespesia grandiflora
Thespesia grandiflora
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Thespesia grandiflora is a plant of the warm tropics; it is found in areas with mean annual precipitations ranging from 1,250 - 2,500mm and a mean annual temperature from 20 - 27°c[1]. Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[1]. Grows well on soils ranging from mildly alkaline to strongly acid, with textures ranging from sandy loams to clays[1]. Natural trees grow best on colluvial lower slopes of limestone hills and the alluvial bottoms between the hills[1]. Plants are reported to begin flowering at between 5 - 10 years of age. Flowering and fruiting proceeds throughout the year except when limited by periods of low rainfall and drought stress[1]. This species is the national tree of Puerto Rico[2]. This tree was formerly widely planted in Puerto Rico, both along roadsides and as a timber crop in the public forests. As it proved to be an alternate host of the pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), its planting was discontinued in the cotton region. Subsequently propagation of this species, other than for landscaping, has nearly terminated. Forest plantings were stopped when it was found that the trees, which at first grew straight and rapidly, later nearly ceased growth, became excessively branchy, and produced numerous cankerlike defects on the trunk. Trees in plantations on good soils in the moist limestone region averaged 88mm in diameter at an age of 9 years[3]. Another objection to extensive planting, even as an ornamental, is that the trees are very susceptible to a scale insect which deforms both trunk and branches and sometimes causes death[3].
Propagation
Seed - it begins germinating 5 - 7 days after the fruit ripens and often whilst still in the fruit. Because seeds picked up from the ground may already have the radicle exposed, moist paper towels or other moistened material should be placed in the collection container during transport and the seeds should be sown as soon as possible. No pregermination treatments are necessary. Seeds may be sown in trays, seedbeds, or directly in the containers and lightly covered in ordinary potting mix. A germination rate of 70 - 80% can be expected from fresh seed, but this can drop to 20% after 2 weeks of storage. Seeds sown in germination trays or beds are transplanted to nursery bags or pots after the first true leaves emerge. The seedlings develop rapidly in partial shade, reaching 20cm in 3 months and 40cm in 6 months. The seedlings should be moved into full sun a few weeks before outplanting. Seedling stock from 15 - 50cm can be used to establish plantations[1]. Trees destined to become ornamentals are often grown in pots until they attain 1 to 2.5 m in height, when they should be planted in deep, well-aerated, and fertile soil[1]. Viability of the seeds can be extended to almost 4 months by drying to 62.5% moisture and storing at 2 - 4 °c[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Thespesia+grandiflora>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Tropical Tree Seed Manual — Vosso. J. Editor. · USDA Forest Service. · 2002 · http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm ↩︎An extremely good guide, it can also be downloaded in its entirety from the address shown above.
- [2]National Tropical Botanical Garden — http://ntbg.org/plants/choose_a_plant.php ↩︎General information on almost 400 species, with descriptions, habitats and some uses.
- [3]Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands — Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. · USDA, Forest Service; Washington. · 1964 ↩︎Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.