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Indian tulip tree

Submitted by admin on 25 September 2025
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Scientific name
Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa
English Name
Indian tulip tree
Malayalam name
പൂപ്പരുത്തി, പൂവരശ്
Common name
Portia tree

Description

  1. Habit : Tree
  2. Habitat : Grown as fence-posts and avenue tree, also in mangrove forests 
  3. Leaves : simple,alternate,stipulate
  4. Flowers : bisexual,yellow,showy
  5. Bark : dark brown 
How to use
  • Decoction of the bark is given internally in chronic dysentery. 
  • Oil prepared by boiling the ground bark in coconut oil is applied in psoriasis and scabies.
  • A compound oil of the bark and capsule is beneficial in cases of urethritis and gonorrhea. 
Uses

Sprains,bruises,scabies,psoriasis

Parts used
Whole plant
Conservation

Propagation & Cultivation

Thespesia populnea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings, root cuttings, and air-layering. Seeds are sown after scarifying the hard coat and grown in large pots to support tap roots. Plants are usually ready for transplanting in 12–16 weeks, though taller trees can also be used. Before transplanting, stump plants are cut back above the root collar to encourage root growth. Both small cuttings planted directly in the field and longer cuttings rooted in nurseries have shown good results.