Portia Tree (Thespesia populnea)

Family: Malvaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Thespesia populnea, otherwise known as Portia Tree, Eden Apple, Pacific Rosewood, or Indian Tulip Tree, is a flowering species belonging in the Malvaceae family. It is a small tree or shrub reaching a height of about 10 m and up to 60 cm in trunk diameter upon maturity. It is fast-growing and its bole is short and often crooked. The leaves are thin, bluish green, and broadly heart-shaped. The flowers are yellow, bell-shaped, and occur singly.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Eaten as a vegetable, they can also be boiled or added to soups. Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked. Fruits - preserved and eaten. The unripe fruits are eaten raw, boiled or fried as a vegetable. — Young leaves - raw or cooked.; Eaten as a vegetable, they can also be boiled or added to soups.; Flowers and flower buds - raw or cooked.; Fruits - preserved and eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Sea coasts, often where sandy beaches covered by Casuarina equestifolia give way to coral outcrops. Also on rocky coasts and occasionally on the inland edge of mangrove swamp. (Zone 10)