Thespesia acutiloba

Thespesia acutiloba

Quantity:

Common Names

Tulip Tree (english)
Wildetulpboom (afrikaans)
Ibicongo (zulu)

Taxonomy

Family MALVACEAE
Genus Thespesia
Species acutiloba
SA Plant Number 465
Basionym Thespesia acutiloba

Description

Thespesia acutiloba is a hardy, semi-deciduous small tree or large shrub with pale grey bark that becomes furrowed with age. It has large, decorative, shiny, ivy-like leaves.

From November to May it bears beautiful, big, lemon-yellow flowers, which close in the afternoon. It was from the flowers that the common name ‘Tulip Tree’ arose. Large, fleshy, red fruits are borne on stout stems and attract birds.

The wood is used to make musical instruments and the tree is also used medicinally.

An interesting small tree to be planted in shade or semi-shade in compost-rich soil.

Size: 3 to 4m

Wildlife

Uses

Distribution

KwaZulu Natal

Natural Habitat:

Coastal dune forest and at the fringes of mangrove swamps

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