A common tree in natural habitats The timber is hard, termite-resistant, has an attractive grain and dark-red colour. The tough fibrous bark is made into rope. A yellow dye is obtained from the flower and fruit, and a red one from the bark and heartwood. Tannin, oil and gums are
Trees, to 15 m high. Leaves × A simple, alternate, 5-12.7 5.5-15 cm, orbicular or ovate, base cordate or truncate, apex acute or acuminate, margin entire or dentate, with peltate scales above, glabrescent or stellate-tomentose beneath; 5-7 nerved from the base, palmate; petiole 5-10 cm, swollen tipped. Flowers bisexual, solitary or in cymes, axillary or terminal; pedicels 20-50 mm long, jointed near the base. Calyx cupular, minutely 5 toothed or 5-parted, accrescent and flattened in fruit. Corolla light yellow with dark purple centre, × fading to purplish-pink, petals 5, 5-7.5 4-6 cm, obliquely obovate, narrowed and fleshy at base. Staminal tube 15-25 mm long, 5-toothed at apex. Fruit a capsule, globose, indehiscent; seeds many, ovoid, pubescent.
native range
Possibly Asia and the Pacific ex Correa Islands
distribution
Pantropical
english names
Indian tulip tree · Portia tree · Seaside mahoe Th