SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO 

BOTANY 

NUMBER 7 

F. R. Fosberg Thespesia Populnea (L. ) 

Solander ex Correa and 

Thespesia populneoides 

and M.-H. Sachet 

(Roxburgh) Kosteletsky 

(Malvaceae) 

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION PRESS 

CITY OF WASHINGTON 

1972 
ABSTRACT 

Fosberg, F. R. and M.-H. Sachet. Thespesia populnea (L.) Solander ex Correa and 

Thespesia populneoides (Roxburgh) Kosteletsky (Malvaceae) . Smithsonian Contributions to Botany, number 7, 13 pages, 6 figures. 1972.-The pantropical Thespesia 

populnea (Malvaceae) is shown to be clearly separable into two species : T. populnea, which is pantropical on seashores, and T. populneoides of the Indian Ocean 

area, extending to Hainan Island, usually, but not always, somewhat inland. Hybrids 

between the two species occur where their ranges touch, and in Ceylon some of 

these hybrids have been widely propagated vegetatively as ornamentals and “living 

fence-posts.” 

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data 

Fosberg, Francis Raymond, 1908- 

Thespesia populnea (L. ) Solander ex Correa and Thespesia populneoides (Roxburgh) 

(Smithsonian contributions to Botany, no. 7) 

Bibliography: p. 

1. Thespesia populnea. 2. Thespesia populneoides. I. Sachet, Marie-HCkne, joint author. 

QKlS2747 no. 7 [QK495.M27] 581’ .08s 1583’ ,171 70-39683 

Kosteletsky (Malvaceae) 

11. Title. 111. Series: Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian contributions to Botany, no. 7. 

Oficial publication date is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in 

the Institution’s annual report, Smithsonian Year. 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing OfRce 

Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 25 cents (paper cover) 
F. R. Fosberg 

and M.-H. Sachet 

On the basis of our experience with Pacific and 

Caribbean specimens, Thespesia populnea (L.) Solander ex Correa has always seemed a relatively uniform species, with no variations of any taxonomic 

significance. Hence it was with considerable surprise 

that we found, in a collection made by D. R. Stoddart 

on the Indian Ocean atoll of Aldabra, a specimen of 

a quite different appearing plant that had been tentatively determined at Kew as Thespesia populnea. 

It differed obviously in the shape of the leaves, in 

the strongly copper-colored leaves and young growth, 

and in the fruit with a clearly dehiscent pericarp, 

but with endocarp remaining intact, while the plant 

we know as T. populnea has an indehiscent fruit. 

G. L1. Lucas, expert on African Malvaceae, with 

whom we discussed this plant indicated that to him 

it was normal East African T. populnea, and showed 

us a considerable series of specimens resembling the 

Aldabra plant. 

The senior author later had the opportunity to 

camp in a grove of Thespesia at Cinq Cases at the 

east end of Aldabra, and to study a substantial population in the interior “platin” area of this limestone 

island. Here Thespesia is the dominant tree in rather 

low-lying areas, especially near fresh to somewhat 

brackish pools. These trees present a rather uniform 

appearance, quite coppery to bronze, leaves with a 

very wide open basal sinus, subcordate or almost 

F. R. Fosberg, Department of Botany, Smithsonian Znstitution, Washington, D.C. 20560. M.-H. Sachet, Department 

of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560. 

Thespesia 

Solander 

Thespesia 

populnea ( L.) 

ex Correa and 

pop u 1 neoides 

(Roxburgh) Kosteletsky 

(Malvaceae) 

subtruncate, rather than deeply cordate, with longpedunculate rather drooping flowers, the fruit with 

outer pericarp loosened and dehiscent when completely mature and dry, and the seeds covered by 

crowded short, bulbous-tipped erect hairs. In all of 

these features this population differs from the widespread Pacific and Atlantic strand form, 

At Dune Jean Louis, on the south coast of Aldabra, 

another population of Thespesia was found, this one 

growing at the inland base of coastal dunes and in 

the adjacent mixed scrub on rather rough “champignon” limestone. This population was consistently 

different from the inland trees described above. The 

general color of the trees was green, though the very 

young growth was somewhat coppery, due to peltate 

brown scales. The leaves were deeply cordate. The 

peduncles were short and erect (that is, diverging 

somewhat from the stem, but straight, not at all 

drooping), the fruits showed not the slightest tendency to dehisce when dry, and the seeds were covered with tightly matted long silky hair-longer, 

looser, and brown on the angles of the seeds. This is 

exactly the combination of characters that distinguishes the widespread Pacific form. Jack Frazier, 

herpetologist, who was camped at the time in the 

area, mentioned a single plant in the vicinity, but 

somewhat inland, that had long-stalked drooping 

flowers. Upon inspection, it was found to be identical 

with the Cinq Cases trees in general appearance, but 

it had no fruits. Several other plants nearby were 

intermediate in one or two features, suggesting some 

introgression of characters from the one coppery plant 

1 
2 

into the surrounding population of green ones. None 

of these plants, however, were in fruit. 

Later it was possible to study another grove of 

Thespesia at Anse Porceau, on Middle Island, north 

coast of Aldabra, also at the inner edge of coastal 

dunes. These trees were all of the type with green 

cordate leaves, short peduncles, and indehiscent 

fruit. 

Mr. Frazier later noticed a difference in the degree 

to which the style was exserted from the stamina1 

tube in these two plants, but it was impossible to 

revisit substantial populations of the two to verify 

this, or to show, as was suggested by others later, 

that it was a function of age of flower. Frazier also 

called attention to another feature, previously unnoticed, common to both these plants. When a bud 

or young fruit is cut transversally a copious yellow, 

gummy fluid exudes from the surfaces. We had not 

seen this mentioned before, nor were we aware of 

latex in any Malvaceae. Roxburgh, however, mentioned it in his discussion of Thespesia (as Hibiscus) 

in the Flora Indica, 1832 (vide infra) ; a label on a 

plant collected by Lt. Speke on Europa Island (P) 

also describes the appearance of a canary-colored 

juice on cutting a green fruit; and Capuron in his 

recent publication of Thespesia gummiflua (1968: 

9), in a different section of the genus, describes this 

production of yellow gum and bases his specific 

epithet on it. J. Nadeaud (1864:47) mentions that “le 

suc jaune qui suinte des pedoncules . . .” of Thespesia 

populnea, miro, is used against centipede bites. Dr. 

Paul Fryxell (in litt.) tells us that this yellow substance is mostly gossypol. It probably should not be 

called latex in the strict sense. 

After studying these two plants growing on Aldabra Fosberg had little doubt that two species 

were represented. Plants collected in Aden (planted) 

(Fosberg 49964) and on the south coast of Ceylon 

(Fosberg 50352) after leaving Aldabra were all of 

the green indehiscent species. Convinced that two 

species. were involved, it became necessary to determine the ranges of both species and to which one the 

name Hibiscus populneus L. [Thespesia populnea 

(L.) Sol. ex Correa] was originally applied. 

Once the significant combinations of characters of 

the two species had been worked out, it became surprisingly easy to sort even poor herbarium material 

into two fairly clear entities, though with some intermediates. The distributional picture seems reasonably 

clear. The plant (Figures 1, 2, 5) with deeply corSMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

date, green leaves, short peduncles, articulate near 

base and with no minute bracts at the articulation, 

indehiscent fruits, and matted long seed hairs is 

pantropical, found near the sea around the tropical 

parts of all three oceans. The other plant (Figures 3, 

4, 6), with coppery or bronzed leaves with a very 

wide sinus, long peduncles articulate at base to the 

stem but not above and without bracts, with drooping flowers, dehiscent pericarp with a very tough, 

indehiscent endocarp and short, erect club-shaped or 

bulbous seed hairs, is essentially an Indian Ocean 

plant, found on most shores of that ocean, extending 

to the north coast, and even to the east coast of 

Australia, in one direction, to the Philippines and 

Hainan in the other, and very sparsely scattered in 

other parts of the tropics. The few occurrences 

outside the main range give the impression that the 

Indian Ocean plant may have been spread around 

somewhat by human activity, either by accident or by 

deliberate planting. The occurrence on Ceylon will 

be discussed separately later. 

Van Borssum Waalkes (1966: 109) has designated 

the specimen in the Hermann Herbarium in the British Museum as lectotype of Hibiscus populneus L. 

There is also a specimen in the Linnean Herbarium 

named “3 populneus” in Linnaeus’ hand. Neither 

FIGURE 1 .-Thespesia fiopulnea showing narrow sinuses at 

leaf bases and short pedicels. 
NUMBER 7 3 

one is a very satisfactory or complete specimen. Van 

Borssum Waalkes’ choice of the Hermann sheet is 

probably the most acceptable, since Hibiscus populneus L. is principally based on the Flora Zeylanica 

reference in its protologue, as indicated by the asterisk (Wm. Stearn, conversation, 1968). The question of which of these should be type is rather academic, however, as both specimens seem to belong 

to the plant with deeply cordate leaves and indehiscent fruits. This is indeed fortunate, as it retains 

the name Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa in 

the sense most widely accepted throughout the tropics. 

Paul Fryxell (in litt. 1969) has questioned this 

interpretation of the Hermann specimen, pointing 

out that van Borssum Waalkes (1966) mentions 

“nectaries” in the axils of the leaf veins, which, in 

Fryxell’s experience, are found in the Indian Ocean 

species but not in the pantropical one. At our request 

Dr. Lucas reexamined the Hermann sheet but found 

no nectaries. A specimen (Grupe 102) from Ceylon 

that seemed in other respects to be reasonably good 

T. populnea (the pantropical species) showed welldeveloped domatia (or nectaries) , indicating to us 

that this character may not be very reliable. The 

discussion below of the possible hybrid nature of 

much Ceylon Thespesia may also have a bearing on 

both this specimen and the Hermann specimen. 

If van Borssum Waalkes’ observation should turn 

out to be correct, and if Fryxell’s opinion that “nectaries” are only found in the Indian Ocean plant 

(below referred to Thespesia populneoides) were 

accepted, another name would be necessary for T. 

populnea. This would presumably have to be a combination based on Hibiscus bacciferus Forst. f. (type 

Forster s.n. Friendly Islands [Tonga]) In light of the 

following observations on domatia in T. populnea, 

this combination does not seem to be necessary and 

will not be made here. 

To settle the question of the significance of domatia 

or “nectaries” in the separation of these two species, 

‘There is also in the Linnean Herbarium a specimen of 

Thespesia populnea labeled Ipomoea campanulata L. This 

has indeed even been regarded as the type of Ipomoea 

campanulata L. by S. J. van Ooststroom (1940:568), and 

others. C. R. Gunn, however, has recently investigated this 

question very critically (in press) and has concluded that 

Ipomoea campanulata L. is best typified by “Adamboe” of 

Rheede, Hort. Malab. 11: 15, t.56, 1692, as was suggested 

by Merrill ( 19 14 : 133-1 34). Hence, this Linnean specimen 

is merely an early collection of T. populnea. 

FIGURE 2.-Thespesia populnea showing short pedicels, 

flower, and mature indehiscent fruit. 

we examined all the material-about 145 collections-immediately available in Washington, to determine, with the aid of a stereo-binocular, which 

had domatia. The domatia are pocketlike cavities 

occurring at the leafbase, on the underside of the 

blade between the bases of the main veins. 

Twenty of the collections were the Indian Ocean 

tree, called hereafter Thespesia populneoides. As 

expected, these all have very prominent domatia, 

pocketlike, somewhat resembling the sori of the fern 

Davallia. Of the 125 collections referable to T. populnea, 23 were mounted in such a way that no undersides of leaf bases were visible. Of the remaining 102, 

92 have at least some domatia, in some cases fairly 

inconspicuous but clearly visible with low magnification. In few cases were these as conspicuous as in 

T. populneoides, nor did they generally show the 

elongate, tubular form, but were shallower pits or 

seemingly roofed-over narrow angles between the 

vein bases. Ten collections seem to lack domatia entirely. On some of the 92 with domatia some leaves 

and some vein axils seem to lack them, on others 

they may be very small. 

The sheets lacking domatia are all American, but 

40 American sheets have them. Material from Jamaica, 5 sheets, all lacked domatia, as did 1 Florida 

and 4 other West Indian sheets. Central and South 
4 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

FIGURE J.-Thespesia populneoides showing leaf shape, 

broad sinuses, and flower with long pedicel. 

America specimens all show domatia where the 

proper leaf area is visible. It should be remembered 

that these figures only apply to the 145 collections 

examined in the United States National Herbarium. 

Study of this sample indicates to us that presence 

or absence of domatia is not a very reliable means of 

separating the two species under study, a conclusion 

that is in line with our observations of the presence 

or absence of these “glands” or “nectaries” in other 

groups, especially in certain genera of the Rubiaceae, 

such as Cinchona, Psychotria, and Coprosma. 

The variability of Thespesia populnea has been discussed at length by a number of writers, the latest 

being van Borssum Waalkes (1966). Several of them, 

e.g., Blume (1825: 73) ; Roxburgh (1832,3: 191) ; 

Pierre ( 1888,3 :plate 173), have proposed taxonomic 

arrangements. It is significant that practically all who 

have found serious problems with this group have 

been concerned with the areas around the Indian 

Ocean, where both T. populnea and T. populneoides 

are found. Unfortunately, Blume, who recognized two 

FIGURE 4.-Thespesia populneoides showing broad sinus at 

leaf base and mature dehiscent fruits with long pedicels. 

species, T. populnea and T. macrophylla, applied 

the name T. populnea to the wrong species, confusing most subsequent writers who considered the matter. This confusion, that of applying the older name 

to the plant with long peduncles and dehiscent fruit, 

has persisted even down to the recent discussion by 

van Borssum Waalkes. Even though he correctly typified the name, he interpreted the imperfect specimen 

as the long-pedunculate plant so-called by Blume. 

Because he failed to perceive the essential combinations of characters that set the two species apart, van 

Borssum Waalkes, as had Merrill earlier ( 1918: 255), 

concluded that only one species was involved, so the 

misapplication made little difference in his treatment. 

Hutchinson (1947: 135) discusses the variation of 

what he calls Thespesia populnea Sol. He includes 

both T. populneoides Roxb. and T. Populnea var. 

acutiloba Baker (T. acutiloba (Baker) Exell & Men- 
NUMBER 7 

FIGURE 5.-Thespesia populnea seeds, showing long woolly pubescence. 

5 
6 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

FIGURE 6.-Thespesia populneoides seeds, showing short clavate pubescence. 
NUMBER 7 7 

donca). He obviously did not study material of the 

four taxa (incl. T. macrophylla Blume) very critically and apparently missed most of the important 

characters. Howard (1949) has commented on some 

of the shortcomings of Hutchinson’s paper, 

The first person to define clearly the two species 

and to apply the name Hibiscus populneus L. in its 

correct sense was Roxburgh (1832,3: 191), who used 

some of the characters regarded as important in the 

present study to separate his Hibiscus populneoides 

from H. populneus L. He distinguished H. populneoides by glands in the axils of the main veins, by 

the “double integument” of the fruit, the inner very 

tough, the outer opening from the apex exposing the 

inner, and by the “seeds . , . covered with brown 

farina” (versus “seeds downy”). Thus it is perfectly 

obvious that the first plant studied on Aldabra has 

been clearly defined since 1832 and that its correct 

name is Thespesia populneoides. This species has 

been ignored by most authors, or reduced to varietal 

status, since Roxburgh‘s time, but its clear distinction 

from T. populnea again demonstrates that the taxonomy of widespread strand species still presents 

problems worthy of attention. 

Dr. Paul Fryxell has pointed out (in litt. 1969) 

another distinguishing character-that in T. populnea the peduncles are articulate and bibracteate very 

near the base, while T. populneoides bears no such 

articulation with bracts [although the pedicels are 

articulate to the stem]. Some specimens are intermediate in this character, or look like T. populneoides but have definite articulations. They will be 

discussed under Intermediates. 

Systematic Treatment 

Thespesia Solander ex Correa 

Thespesia Solander ex Correa, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris 

9:290, 291, Tab. VIII (=PI. 25 of volume), f.1, 1807, 

type T. populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa, I.c. (Hibiscus 

populneus L.) .I 

Azanza (Moc. et Sesse ex DC.) Alef., Bot. Zeit. 19:298, 

1861. Type A. lampas (Cav.) Alef. I.c. (Hibiscus lampas 

Cav.). 

Trees or large shrubs, with a yellow sticky sap; 

usually cordate, palmately veined leaves, small subdate or lanceolate, early caducous stipules ; axillary 

flowers on stout pedicels articulate either to a peduncle (which may be very short or long) or directly to the branchlet; involucre [or epicalyx] of 

(usually) few (3) to (rarely) many spirally arranged 

caducous separate usually reduced segments; calyx 

united, hemispheric, nearly truncate with very small 

abrupt teeth; corolla large, yellow, turning red in 

afternoon, falling; stamina1 column antheriferous in 

upper part; style caducous, unbranched, stigmas 

elongate, coherent; ovary 4-6, usually 5, celled, ovules 

several to many; fruit an indehiscent, partly dehiscent, or loculicidal capsule; seeds plump, several in 

a cell. 

A pantropical genus of a number of species, the 

number depending on which of several segregate 

genera are recognized as distinct. Taken in a broad 

sense, at least including Azanza, it seems closest to 

Lebronnecia and Gossypium. 

Key to Two Species of Thespesia 

Leaves green, deeply cordate; pedicels erect, 1-5 cm long, with a bracteate joint very near 

base; fruit indehiscent ; seeds with long soft hair, especially on angles., . . , , . .Thespesia populnea 

Leaves somewhat bronzed or coppery, very shallowly cordate to subtruncate; pedicels tending 

to droop, 5-12 cm long, without bracteate joint; outer layer of fruit dehiscent; seeds with 

short clavate or bulbous hairs.. ... .. . . . . .. . ... . . . , .. , . . ,,. , ,, ,. . . . , ,, . . .. . , , . . . . . . .. ,. .. . . . , .Thespesia populneoides 

lThe name Thespesia rests on very shaky ground. It was imately made, either. However, Thespesia was conserved 

over Bupariti Duh. with T. populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa 

as type, so both generic name and specific combination may 

very dubiously be considered valid and legitimate because 

they have been placed on the list of Nomina Conservanda, 

though this is not at all obvious from the wording of the 

Code. 

originally published without a description, monotypic, the 

one species being Thespesia populnea (Hibiscus populneus 

L.). Since this species is not new, its description cannot be 

regarded as a combined generic-specific one (Code Art. 42). 

Because the generic name was not validly published, the 

combination Thespesia populnea was technically not legit- 
SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

Thespesia Populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa 

FIGURES 1, 2, 5 

Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Correa, Ann. Mus. Hist. 

Hibiscus populneus L., Sp. P1. 694, 1753. 

Hibiscus bacciferus Forst.f., Prodr. 48, 1786. 

Maluauiscus populneus (L.) Gaertner, Fruct. et Sem. 2: 

Nat. Paris 9:290, 1807. 

253, T.135, f. 3, 1791. 

Small to moderate sized tree, young growth green, 

only moderately brown-lepidate when very young; 

wood hard, heartwood dark red; leaves greenish 

even when young, orbicular-cordate, strongly acuminate, basal sinus usually deep and narrow; stipules 

lance-linear, to 1 cm long, caducuous; flower stalks 

short, usually 1-5 cm long, erect or ascending, articulate and with 2 scalelike bracts near base, very 

rarely 2 such joints; flowers erect, not drooping, involucral bracts 3, lanceolate, to 1 cm long, spirally 

arranged but subverticillate; calyx subtruncate, remotely denticulate, hemispheric-campanulate, up to 

1 cm long, densely appressed hirsute within; corolla 

broadly campanulate, about 5-6 cm long, bright 

light yellow (rarely cream yellow), turning reddish in 

afternoon, center red to dark maroon; stamina1 column included in corolla, buds and young fruit exuding yellow gum when cut; mature fruit depressed 

globose (to rarely subglobose or somewhat obovoid 

and obtusely pointed) , indehiscent, irregularly crumbling in age, 4 or 5 celled, seeds several in a cell, 

broadly obovoid, slightly angled, covered by closely 

matted silky hair, this looser and more prominent on 

angles, seeds more loosely and abundantly hairy in 

American specimens. 

DISTRIBUTION.-PantrOpiCal, especially on seacoasts, but sparingly inland, where probably planted 

or persisting from planted trees. 

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.-NORTH AMERICA: US.: Florida: 

Brickell Hammock, Miami, Moldenke 5635 (NY) ; Cutler, 

Richmond in 1905 (NY), in 1907 (NY); Black Point, below Cutler, Small d Carter in 1903 (US) ; Miami, Caldwell 

8770 (US) ; Monroe Co., Stock Island, Killip 41143 (US) ; 

Big Pine Key, Killip 32788 (US); Little Pine Key, Small 

et al. 3648 (NY); Key West, Small d Small 4877 (NY). 

CENTRAL AMERICA: British Honduras: Belize, Donnell 

Smith 16 (US, 2 sheets) (form with imperfectly dehiscent 

fruits and unusually woolly seeds) ; Stan Creek, Schipp 505 

(NY). Honduras: Lancetilla, Molina 10431 (US). Panama: 

C.Z., cult., Standley 30820 (US) ; C.Z., Ancon Pittier 2745 

(US, NY); Colon, Rose 22044 (US); Los Santos Prov., 

Poori, Dwyer 1186 (NY). 

BERMUDA: Holly Lodge, planted, Brown and Britton 

1611 (US, NY). 

BAHAMAS : New Providence, Nassau, Curtiss 173 (US, 

NY) , Grantstown, Wilson 8221 (NY) . Hog Island, Britton 

€9 Millspaugh 2176 (NY); Wilson 8321 (NY). Inagua, 

cult., Nash €9 Taylor 1473 (NY). Turks Island, Nash & 

Taylor 3840 (NY). 

VIRGIN ISLANDS: St. Thomas, Morrow 83 (US); Eggers 

389 (NY); St. Croix, Golden Rock, Ricksecker 197 (US, 

NY); Britton d Gowell 23 (NY). 

LEEWARD ISLANDS: St. Barths, Questel 128 (NY); St. 

Kitts, Proctor 18499 (US); Montserrat, Shafer 101 (US, 

NY) ; Guadeloupe, Stehle 101 (NY), Duss 2779 (US, NY) ; 

Martinique, Duss 2024 (NY); St. Lucia, P. Beard 1079 

(US) ; Howard 11418 (NY) ; Dominica, Prince Rupert Bay, 

Hodge 544 (NY); Grenada, Broadway in 1904 (US); 

Grand Anse, Broadway in 1904 (NY) ; Becquia (Grenadine) 

I., Joseph B. 160 (NY). 

WINDWARD ISLANDS: Antigua, Wilbur d Dunn 7219 

(US) ; Box 1040 (US) ; Barbados, Dash 291 (US, NY). 

PUERTO RICO: Parguera, Sargent 452 (US); Isabel Segunda, Shafer 2392 (US, NY); Coaruo, GolZ 751 (NY); 

Cay0 Obispo, Evermann 1238 (US), 1246 (US) ; Fajardo, 

Heller 818 (US, NY); Sintenis I235 (US); near Ponce, 

Underwood d Criggs 729 (US, NY) ; Bosque Insular de 

Guanica, Little 13146 (NY); Las Croabas, Fosberg 52278 

(US, Fo). 

HISPANIOLA : Dominican Republic : Barajona Prov. Beata 

I., Howard 12410 (US); Ciudad Trujillo, Allard 18946 

(US); Santiago Prov., Las Charcas, Jiminez 5579 (NY). 

Haiti: Tortue I., Leonard d Leonard, 13919 (US, NY), 

15350 (US, NY); Miragoane, Eyerdam 166 (US); near 

Carenage, Ekman H. 8578 (US) ; Port au Prince, Holdridge 1228 (NY); Caucedo, August0 1357 (NY). 

CUBA: Manigua betw. Cabanas and Mar Verde, Lopez 

Figueiras 1526 (US); Santiago, Underwood €9 Earle 1660 

(NY); Santiago Bay, Clemente 2314 (US); Leon 3951 

(NY); Gibara to Punta Hicacos, Shafer 1511 (NY, US); 

Cienfuegos Bay, Punta Diablo, Britton d Wilson 6043 

(NY) ; Cienfuegos, Soledad, lack 4056 (US) ; 5347 (US) ; 

Howard 4176 (NY); Matanzas, Britton et al. 211 (NY); 

Guantanamo, Pastor 1811 (NY) ; Calicita Combs 522 (US, 

NY) ; Prov. Havana, Playa de Baracoa, Leon 8422 (NY) ; 

Playa del Rincon de Guanabo, Leon et al. 8493 (NY) . JAMAICA: E of Montego Bay, Maxon d Killip 1623 

(US) ; Hunts Bay, Maxon d Killip 326 (US) ; Rockport, 

Killip 23 (US) ; Kingston, Brown 356 (US, NY) ; Bowdon, 

Britton 4017 (NY); St. Thomas, West et al. 572 (US); 

Trelawney Parish, White Bay, Crosby d Anderson 1161 

(NY) ; Tolly Point, Fredholm 3266 (NY). 

LITTLE CAYMAN I.: Blossom Point, Kings L. C. 70 (NY). 

SOUTH AMERICA: Tobago I., Broadway 4383 (US). 

Venezuela: Near Cab0 Blanco, D. F., Pittier 12428 (US, 

NY), 10271 (US) ; Cristobal Colon, Broadway 202 (US, 

NY) ; La Vela de Coro, Curran d Haman 662 (US) ; 

Miranda, Los Totumos, NE of Higuerote, Steyermark 

86283 (US, NY). British Guiana: s. I., Jenman 5853 

(NY) ; Georgetown, Hitchcock 16562 (US, NY) ; Demerara 

River, Agricola, For. Dept. B. G. F3054 (NY) ; Vreedenhoop, For. Dept. B. G. F3490 (NY). Colombia: Guajira: 
NUMBER 7 9 

Pejaro, Cuatrecasas and Romero Castaneda 25465 (US) ; 

Atlantico: Baranquilla, Elias 994 (US, NY) ; Bolivar: carretera Sincelejo a Tolu Garcia Barriga 23468 (US, NY) ; 

Cartagena, Grant 20697 (US); Heriberto 57 (US, NY); 

Manga I., Killip d Smith 24024 (US, NY); Antioquia: 

Medellin, cult.; Archer 642 (US) ; Huila: Timani, cult., 

Little 7697 (US) ; Facoima, Perez Arbelaez 2524 (US). 

Brad: s.l., Sellow s.n. (NY). 

ASIA: Arabia: Aden, planted at Airport, Fosberg 49964 

(US). India: s.l., Wight 272 (NY); Hosur, Dt. Salem, 

“3000 ft.,” Yeshoda 663 (NY) ; Bangalore, Saldanha 

C58874 (US) ; South Andamans, North Corbyn’s Cove, 

King in 1891 (US) (lvs. subcordate, but peduncles short, 

erect, articulate). 

CEYLON: s.1. Herb. Hermann (BM) ; China Bay, Amaratunga 567 (PDA). Puttalam Distr.: Wilpattu National Park, 

Pallugaturai, Fosberg 50894 (US, PDA) ; Grupe 202 (US). 

Galle Distr.: Hikkaduwa, 12 mi. NW of Galle, Fosberg 

52842 (US). Hambantota Distr. : Ruhuna National Park, 

Patanagala, Fosberg 50352 (US, PDA) ; Mueller-Dombois 

67082504 (PDA, US) ; betw. Buttawa and Yala, Comanor 

400 (PDA, US). Batticaloa Distr.: Batticaloa, Koddaimunnai, Robyns 6928 (US). 

INDO CHINA: Viet Nam: Annam, Nha-trang, Robinson 

1545 (NY). 

RYUKYU ISLANDS : Okinawa I : Nago, Wilson 8063 (US) ; 

Kimura d Hurusawa 77 (US) ; Kunigami, Walker et al. 

7232 (US). Miyako I.: Sugama, Fosberg 38254 (US). 

Ishigaki I.: Kabira, Hatusima 28902; Smith 92 (US) ; 

1 km S of Nosoko, Fosberg 38063 (US). 

HAINAN ISLAND: s.l., Wang 34796 (NY); Liang 65439 

PHILIPPINES : Luzon I. : Tayabas Prov., Guinayangan, 

Escritor 20894 (US) ; Prov. Principe, Baler, Merrill 2089 

(US, NY); Tayabas Prov. Pabgilao, Goiar 32484 (NY). 

Mindoro I.: Puerto Galera, Santos 5327 (US), 5267 (US), 

5168 (US); Bo. Manaul, Mansalay, Sulit 27203 (US); 

Pinamalayan, Merrill 2275 (US). Mindanao I. : Davao 

Prov., Santa Cruz, Williams 2784, (US, NY). Palawan I., 

Fenix 25604 (US). Sulu Arch., Sibutu Is., Sitankai-Tumindao, Herre 2209 (US). 

BORNEO : Karimata Arch., Poelau Penebangan, Mondi 

202 (NY) ; Poelau Lemoeshoelan, Hallier 357 (NY). 

MOLUCCA ISLANDS: Amboina, Robinson 498 (US, NY). 

MALDIVE ISLANDS: Ma1e Atoll, Fosberg 36852 (US). 

ALDABRA ISLAND: Anse Porceau, 0.5 km east of Gionnet 

Channel, Fosberg 49564 (US, K) ; Dune Jean Louis, Fosberg 49384 (US, K) , 49432 (US, K) ,49430 (US, K, MO, 

NY, BISH, TI), 49432 (US), 49433 (US), 49434 (US), 

49435 (US). 

AMIRANTES: Remire I., Gwynne d Wood 868 (K, EA) ; 

AUSTRALIA: Queensland : Hayman Island, White 20092 

MICRONESIA: 

MARIANAS ISLANDS: Pagan I.: Isthmus, Anderson 573 

(US, BISH, NY, L) . Alamagan I. : around Partido Village, 

Fosberg 32647 (US). Sarigan I. : Kanehira 2257 (KI, NY). 

Saipan I.: ~l., Kanehira 1029 (KI); Kagman Peninsula, 

“Y). 

Stoddart d Poore 2447 (K, US, EA). 

(NY) * 

probably planted, Courage 34 (US) ; Charan-Kanoa, Hosaka 

2974 (US, BISH) ; Tanapag, Fosberg 25260 (US, BISH) ; 

Stephens 26. Tinian I.: s.l., Kanehira 58 (KI) ; Okatani 4 

(KI) ; Lake Hagoya, Fosberg 24786 (US, BISH, NY, L). 

Rota I.: between Rota and Tataacho Pt., Fosberg 24993 

(US) ; Rota and vicinity, Fosberg 25078 (US, BISH, NY, 

L) ; Necker R106 (US). Guam I.: SJ., Sagord d Seale 

2035 (US); Hombron (P); G. E. S. 232 (US); 442 (US); 

Marche 290 (P) ; between Merizo & Umatac, Necker 48 

(US); Marine Beach, Pedrus 22 (CG); Umatac, Moran 

4592 (UC, Fo); Oca Pt., Glassman 52 (Fo); Merizo, 

Fosberg 25632 (US, BISH, Fo, NY); near Ritidian Pt., 

Rodin 716 (US); Chalan Pago, Whiting 234 (Fo). 

CAROLINE ISLANDS : Yap Is. : s.L, Volkens 343; Rumonto, Hosokawa 8949 (US). Truk Is.: s.L, Kanehira 627 

(KI) ; Wong 231 (US) ; Pelzer 92 (US) ; 92 (US) ; Uoala, 

Moore 228 (US); Moen, Hosaka 2784 (US); Tumuk 

Village, Fosberg B Pelzer 26044 (US, BISH, NY, L) ; Eten, 

Hallier in 1903 (US); Udot, Manity Village, Fosberg 

24484 (US, BISH, Fo) ; Pis, rare along beach, Fosberg 

24684 (US, BISH). Mortlock Is.: Lukunor Atoll: Saponoch I., Anderson 2209 (US, BISH, Fo, NY, L); Satawan 

Atoll: Ta I., Anderson 2068 (US, BISH, NY, L); Afaran 

I., Anderson 926 (US, BISH, NY). Nukuoro Atoll: 

Kaujema I., Hosaka 3468 (US, BISH); Matakena I., 

Fosberg 26223 (US, BISH). Kapingamarangi Atoll: Hare 

Islet, Niering 699 (US) ; Fosberg 26108 (US, BISH); 

Nunakita Islet, Niering 552 (US) ; Werua Islet, Niering 

587 (US) ; Matiro Islet, Niering 602 (US). Ponape I.: 

Langar Islet, Glassman 2404 (US) ; between Ipuak & U, 

U District, Fosberg 26332 (US, BISH, NY, L) : Narlap I., 

Hosaka 3566 (US, BISH) ; Nanmataal, Kanehira 856 (KI). 

Pingelap Atoll: St. John 22, 473. Kusaie I.: s.l., Moore 74 

(US). 

GILBERT ISLANDS : Butaritari (Makin) Catala 52 (P) . MELANESIA: 

SOLOMON Is.: New Georgia I., Tetemara, Maenu’u 

6202 (US) ; Santa Ysabel I., Paehena Pt., Beer’s collectors 

7097 (US). New Caledonia: Baie Naya, Guillaumin et 

Baumann 12480 (US), 22500 (NY). 

NEW HEBRIDES: Banks Group: Vanua Lava I., Kajewski 

484 (US, NY) ; Eromanga I.: Dillon Bay, Kajewski 373 

(NY), 407 (NY). Aneityum I.: Anelgauhat Bay, Kajewski 

798 (US). 

FIJI ISLANDS: Viti Levu I.: Serua: Ngaloa, Degener 

15206 (US, NY); Mba: Mba River Mouth, Smith 4742 

(US). Ngau I., Herald Bay, Sawaieke, Smith 7899 (US). 

Kandavu I.: Namalata Isthmus region, Smith 280 (US, 

NY). Koro I., east coast, Smith 2092 (US, NY). Ovolau I.: 

US. Expl. Exp. (NY); 3 mi. N of Levuka, Gillespie 4504 

POLYNESIA: 

TONGA ISLANDS: s.l., Banks d Solander in 1769 (US). 

Tongatapu I.: Niutoua Village, Yuncker 15207 (US). 

Eua I.: Ohonua, Parks 26362 (US, NY); Yuncker 25629 

(US). Lifuka I.: Pangai Village, Yuncker 25746 (US). 

(NY). 

NIUE: Mutalau, Yuncker 9724 (US). 

SAMOA: s.l., Vaupel 240 (US). Upolu I.: Matafangatele, 
10 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

Rechinger 1246 (US). Tutuila, Aua, Christophersen 1206 

(NY). Tau, Garber 683 (NY). 

SOCIETY ISLANDS: Matia (Meetia), U. S. Expl. Exp. 

(US). 

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Oahu: s.l., Curran 148 (NY); 

Honolulu, Hitchcock 13848 (US) ; Waimanalo, Degener 

9962 (NY), 6038 (NY) ; Haleiwa, Hitchcock 13892 (US) ; 

2 mi. N of Heeia, St. John 10136 (NY). Hawaii: Puna 

Distr., Pualoa, St. John d Cowan 22292 (NY). 

MARQUESAS ISLANDS : Hivaoa I., Atuona, Chapin 753 

PHOENIX ISLANDS : Canton I., planted, Degener B HathTUAMOTU ISLANDS: Makatea, Wilder in 1932 (NY). 

(US). 

eway 21308 (NY). 

Thespesia Populneoides (Roxb.) Kostel. 

FIGURES 3, 4, 6 

Thespesia populneoides (Roxb.) Kostel., Allg. Med. Pharm. 

Thespesia populnea sensu Blume, Bijdr. 2:73, 1825 (non 

Hibiscus populneoides Roxb., F1. Ind. ed. Carey 3:181, 

Thespesia banalo Blanco, F1. Filip. ed. 2, 382, 1845. 

Thespesia populnea var. populneoides (Roxb. ) Pierre, F1. 

Forest. Cochinch. 3:Pl. 173, 1888 (as to basionym not 

description). 

Thespesia howii Hu, F1. China, Fam. 153:69, T.22, F.3, 

1955. 

Small tree, young growth and leaves persistently and 

closely brownish-lepidote, giving a bronzed or coppery appearance ; leaves generally deltoid to subcordate, or cordate with a very shallow broad sinus, 

tending to be caudate acuminate, usually with prominent domatia in axils of main nerves; stipules subdate to lanceolate, very early caducous ; peduncles 

up to 10-12 cm long, ebracteate, not jointed, usually 

curved downward so flowers are drooping, involucral 

bracts 3, reduced, very early caducous, triangularovate, almost verticillate, represented in all but very 

young buds by linear scars; calyx 8-10 mm long, 

truncate or with minute mucrolike teeth; corolla 

campanulate 5-6 cm long, yellow, center dull reddish 

to dark maroon; staminal column included, style 

exserted from staminal column but included in corolla; young fruit and buds exuding yellow gum when 

cut; mature fruit with two distinct layers, a smooth 

exocarp separated from a hard tough fluted endocarp 

by a loose fibrous-spongy mesocarp which partially 

disintegrates at maturity, the exocarp then dehiscing 

into 4-6, usually 5, valves, the lines of dehiscence 

following the median ridges of the cells of the endoF1. 5:1861, 1836. 

(L.) Sol. ex Correa). 

1832. 

carp; seeds several in a cell, broadly obovoid, covered by a dense short pubescence of erect bulbous 

hairs. 

The material of this affinity in the Wallich Herbarium at Kew is filed under number 1888 and 

consists of 8 specimens, indicated by numbers and 

letters appended to the catalog number 1888. These 

were made available for study and the pecularities of 

the numbering kindly explained by Drs. G. L1. Lucas 

and L. L. Forman. Our interpretations are as follows: 

1888.1 T. populnea 

1888.2 T. populnea 

1888.C T. populnea 

1888.D T. Populnea 

Specimen 1888.F is marked “H. Roxb.” and is 

labeled Hibiscus populneoides in Roxburgh’s hand. It 

matches Roxburgh’s description and undoubtedly 

should be regarded as lectotype. It is here so designated. Roxburgh’s plate, Icones Roxburghianae No. 

352 is a good representation of the species except 

that the leaves are drawn as crenate, wrong for anything in this affinity. 

DISTRIBUTION.-COaStS of the Indian Ocean and 

its islands, Australia, Malaysia, Indo-China, to Hainan, very sparingly, probably introduced, in West 

Africa, and cultivated in Brazil and British Guiana. 

1888.E T. populneoides 

1888.F T. populneoides 

1888.G T. populneoides 

1888.H Hibiscus tiliaceus 

SPECIMENS EXAMINED.-MADAGASCAR: s.I., Decary 10667 

(K, TAN) ; Herb. du Petit-Thouars s.n. (P, TAN) ; SW of 

Island, Greve 25 (P) ; N, Baie de Diego Suarez, Boivin 2370 

(P) ; Diego Suarez, Bernier 257 (P) ; Mouroundava, Grandidier s.n. (P) ; Greve in 1889 (K) ; Majunga, Poisson 17 

(P, K) ; Humbert et Perrier de la Bathie 2026 (P) ; Afzelius 

in 1912 (K) ; Decary 2426 (P, US) ; Marovoay, Bosser 8421 

(P, 2 sheets, TAN) ; Belo sur River Tsiribihina, Serv. For. 

Madag. 14129 (TAF, P); Delta de la Linta, Humbert d 

Swingle 5422 (P, 2 sheets) ; Estuaire de la Betriboka, Perrier de la Bathie 8359 (P); Ankotika, Ambanja, Serv. For. 

Madag. 9272 (P) ; Mahilaka, Ambanja, Serv. For. Madag. 

3909 (P) (fruit only) ; Amboanio pres Majunga, Perrier de 

la Bathie 1236 (P, 2 sheets); Maintirano, Decary 15565 

(P) ; Dist. Fort Dauphin, Andrahomana, Decary 10667 

(P) ; Bao Manambobo, Hervien (TAN) ; Mango Ky, Hervien in 1966 (TAN) ; Antsaharavina, Lotobe Distr., NossiBe, s. COIL 2672 (TAN) (lvs. with deep sinuses, but long 

peduncles, coppery scales as in T. populneoides) ; Majunga, 

sur la route de Amboravy, Capuron S/NR-4 (TAF); Canton Hell-ville, Nossi-Be Distr., Ramamoujiro 1 I448 (TAF) ; 

Ambondro-Ampary, Ctn. Antonibe, Ananalava Distr., s. 

coll. 15,775SF (TAF) ; Amparimandroro, s. coll. 16135SF 

(TAF); 20 km SE of Tulear, 5 km from Sarodrano, Fosberg 52430 (US). 
NUMBER 7 11 

COMORO ISLANDS: Mohilla, I. Kirk s.n. (K); Anjouan, 

MAURITIUS: Cultivated, Grey in 1858 (K). 

COSMOLEDO ATOLL: Wizard Islet, Fosberg €3 Grubb 

49822 (K, US); Menai Islet, Fosberg €8 Grubb 49766 (K, 

US). 

ASTOVE ATOLL: sL, Ridgway 74 (Fo) ; Veeuers-Carter 

74 (EA) ; Gwynne d Wood 1297 (EA) ; Grand Anse, 

Fosberg 49717 (K, US, MO) : west side, Stoddart €8 Poore 

1269 (K); north of settlement, Renuoize 2202 (US, K). 

ALDABRATOLL: 3.5 km west of Pt. Hodoul, Fosberg €3 

Graham 49227 (K, US) ; 1 km north of Cinq Cases Camp, 

Fosberg 48946 (K, US) ; Cinq Cases Camp, Fosberg 48859 

(US, K, MO, NY, BISH), 48852 (US, K): Cairn A to 

Cinq Cases, Stoddart 728 (US). 

Humblot 1496 (P, 4 sheets) ; Mayotte, Boiuin 3326 (P). 

ASSUMPTION ISLAND: sJ., Stoddart 1082 (K). 

TROPICAL EAST AFRICA: Witu, Thomas s.n. (K). 

MOZAMBIQUE (PORTUGUESE EAST AFRICA) : Nova Sofala, 

sand dune, Leach €3 Wild 12223 (K, PRE); Mafamede 

Island, Gomes e Soma 4850 (PRE) ; Beira town, Gomes e 

Sousa 4814 (PRE, K, 2 sheets) ; Beira, mangrove, Honey 

815 (PRE, K) ; Sante Caroline Island, 5 m, Gomes e Sousa 

I780 (K) ; Antonio Enes, Gomes e Sousa 4890 (K) ; Luabo, 

Kirk 59 (K); Rovuma Bay, Kirk sen. (K). 

EUROPA ISLAND: Saboureau 1714 (P) ; Speke 5 (K). 

ZANZIBAR: s.I., 1. Kirk in 1868 (K, fruit only); Massazine, sea level, Faulkner 2250 (K, 2 sheets), 2292 (K, 2 

sheets). 

KENYA: Kipini District: E of Osi on Tana River, Greenway €3 Rawlins 9484 (PRE, K) ; Mikindani District, seashore at Mtwara, M. Richards 17777 (K). 

MALDIVES : Hulule, Gardiner 28 (PDA) . 

CEYLON: sJ., Thwaites C. P. 1221 (K, P); seacoast about 

20-50 miles north of Colombo, Roberts 30 (K). Jaffna 

Distr.: 12 miles S of Pooneryn, Fosberg et al. 53582 (US, 

PDA). Mannar Distr.: 24 miles N of Mannar, Fosberg et 

al. 53588 (US, PDA). Pettalam Distr. : Kolankanata Beach, 

Wirawan et al. 946 (US). Amparai Distr.: Waragoda Ara, 

1 mile N of Panama, Fosberg, Sachet and ]ayasuria 52922 

(US, PDA); south point of Arugam Bay, Fosberg, Sachet 

€3 ]ayasuria 52928 (US, PDA) ; crossing of Heda Oya, 4 

miles S of Pottuvil, Fosberg, Sachet d ]aycrsuria 53022 

(US, PDA) ; Kumana, Cooray 69073229R (US). 

INDIA: s.l., Leschenault s.n. (P) ; “H. Roxb.” Wallich 

Herb. 1888.F (K, type); “B. H. Ham.” Wallich Herb. 

1888.G (K); “Bdedil 468 d Cal 474/1” Herb. East India 

Co. (P) ; “Tenasserim and Andamans,” Helfer, Herb. 

East India Co. 468 (PDA); “Madras, June 1826. Herb. 

Wight,” Wallich Herb. 2888.E (K) ; Calcutta, Bot. Gard., 

S. COIL s.n. (P) ; Gaudichaud in 1837 (P) ; India orientalis, 

Herb. Desvaux s.n. (P); Indes orient., ]acquemont 122 

(PI. 

BURMA: Rangoon, Legou “Ile la” (P). 

SIAM: Pettchapury, Pierre 34 (P, 2 sheets). 

INDO CHINA: Tonkin, Jard. bot. Hanoi, Herb. Petelot, 

s.n. (P); Haiphong, Gardens, Balansa 2337 (P); Cochinchine, Cholon, Poilane 44028 (P) ; Saigon?, Dong 33 

(Evrard 2706) (P, US) ; Riviere de Phanthiet, Evrard 1585 

(P, US); Condor (Island?), de Parry in 1871 (P). 

AUSTRALIA: “East and North Coasts” Brown in 1802-05 

(NY) (sterile, sinuses very broad); Raffles Bay, Hombron 

in 1841 (P). W. Australia: E. Kimberley Div’n., coast, S. 

I. Stokes 76 (K, fruit only). N. Australia: Port Darwin, 

Schomburgk 182 (K); near Darwin, Allen 220 (K); Carpentaria, R. Brown 5140 (K); Carpentaria, S. Bay, Bickerton I., Specht 626 (K, US) ; Danger Pt., Cobourg Peninsula, Chippendale 8275 (K) ; 13 miles NNE of Borroloola, 

salt bank near McArthur River, Perry 1785 (K, US). N. S. 

Wales: Bynoe s.n. (K) (sinuses narrow), Bynoe s.n. (K) 

(sinuses very broad). Queensland: Stuart’s River, u. Mueller 

in 1892 (P). 

NEW GUINEA: Papua, Milne Bay Distr., Menapi, Brass 

22709 (US). 

JAVA: s.l., Zollinger 2787 (P) ; Blume s.n. (P) (det. T. 

populnea in Blume’s hand). 

PHILIPPINES : Luzon Island: Manila, Merrill 259 (US) ; 

Merrill, Sp. Blancoanae 33 (P, US, NY) ; Buinanga, Bulacan, Loher 242 (US); Bataan Prov., Lamao River, Ahern’s 

collector 252 (US); Lamao River, Mt. Mariveles, Meyer 

2297 (US, NY); Borden 2039 (US, NY); Cavite, Foxworthy 274 (US, NY). Panay Island: Iloilo, Servinas

20668 (US). Mindoro Island: vic. San Jose, Lambert d 

Brunson 76 (US). Apo Island, Mindoro Straits, Merrill 417 

(US, NY). 

HAINAN ISLAND: Yaichow, How 70922 (NY, isotype of 

T. howii Hu). 

WEST AFRICA: Fernando Po, Cercle de Zagnanado, pres 

du Poste de Zagnanado, Chevalier 23087 (P) (sterile, leaves 

and indument like this species). 

AMERICA: Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Passeio Publico, cult., 

Glariou 668 (P) . British Guiana, Botanic Gardens, Georgetown, cult. Watkins 41 (K). 

Intermediates 

A considerable number of collections are variously 

intermediate between T. populnea and T. populneoides. Some of these may merely represent plants 

that are T. populnea but with leaf shapes approaching those of T. populneoides. Seeds, which have not 

yet shown any intermediate characters, are usually 

lacking in these specimens, perhaps because they do 

not form, at least in some cases. It is possible that 

some, if not all, of the intermediates are of hybrid 

origin. This seems likely at least for certain Aldabra, 

Ceylon, and south Indian populations. Where field 

observations are lacking it is difficult to support such 

a conclusion, though it may still be true. 

Intermediate specimens are described briefly as to 

the characters in which they intergrade. Those that 

are very close to one or the other species are cited 

with the species, as well as being referred to here. 

Others that seem probably of hybrid nature are only 

cited here as intermediates. 
12 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO BOTANY 

A considerable range of specimens have predominantly the features of T. populnea but subcordate 

or subtruncate leaf bases, or at least wide and shallow 

sinuses, as in T. populneoides. Such specimens are: 

Philippine Is., Ahern 209, Clark 1091 , both sterile, 

and Riello 16331, with short erect pedicels; some 

Ryukyu material; Solomon Is. : New Georgia, 

Maenu’u 6101; Tonga: Eua I., Yuncker 15629; 

Andaman Is.: King in 1891; Amirantes Is.: Remire 

I., Stoddart §’ Poore 1447, which has 2 joints near 

the pedicel base; New Guinea: Papua: Milne Bay 

Distr., Menapi, Brass 21 709. South America : British 

Guiana: Irwin 273, Forest Dept. B. G. F3054, F3420. 

These plants cannot be shown to be anything but 

T. populnea with leaves somewhat approaching those 

of T. populneoides, until the populations they represent can be studied in the field. 

Two Madagascar specimens, s. coll. 16, 315-SF 

and s. coll. 2672, cited under T. populneoides have 

leaves with deep narrow sinuses as in T. populnea 

but are otherwise like T. populneoides. T. populnea 

is not known to occur in Madagascar. A Ceylon 

specimen from between Wilpattu National Park and 

Anuradhapura-thus well inland-van Beusekom 

1638 (US), has leaves much like those of T. populnea, but pedicels variable in length, some too long 

for this species, and immature fruits up to about an 

inch in diameter. 

More, but still insufficient, work has been done on 

intermediate plants in Aldabra Island. The population studied was part of an irregular row or narrow 

interrupted zone of Thespesia along the inner edges 

of the sand dune belt on the central south shore 

mixed with bushes and small trees of various kinds. 

Here, just east and inland of Dune Jean Louis, one 

bush of typical T. populneoides was found along a 

trail in the pave (moderately rough limestone). 

Nearby and scattered to the Dune des Patates area 

was a population of Thespesia, generally resembling 

T. populnea but with a few plants rather aberrant. 

Fosberg 49441 (US, K, MO, NY) is like T. populneoides but with leaf sinuses deep and narrow. Some 

pedicels are articulate very near base, others not. 

Fosberg 49437 (US, K, MO) is like T. populneoides 

but has some pedicels conspicuously articulate as 

much as 1 cm from base. This population may represent an incipient hybrid swarm resulting from an 

accidental establishment of a plant of T. populneoides 

along the trail in a population of T. populnea, and 

subsequent introgression of T. populneoides characters into the population of T. populnea. This situation was noticed at the time the collections were 

made, but since the differentiating characters of the 

two species had not been worked out, a proper population sample (mass collection) was not made. This is 

a task for a future botanical worker at the new 

Aldabra Research Station. 

A single intermediate specimen, collected at Point 

Hodoul, Fosberg and Frazier 49597 (US, K, MO) , 

has leaves much like those of T. populnea, but with 

unusually long petioles, young growth much more 

lepidote than usual for this species, and the peduncles 

3-7 cm long, not articulate. When collected this was 

not thought to present any problem, so the characteristics of the rest of the population were not studied. 

In Ceylon some material observed growing naturally along the seashore seems to be fairly normal 

T. populnea, with mature fruit and seeds (Fosberg 

et al. 50894, Fosberg 50352). T. populneoides has 

also been collected in Ceylon, but has not been seen 

there by us (see Addendum). Thespesia, at first sight 

seemingly good T. populnea, is a very widely planted 

hedgerow tree inland in Ceylon as well as along the 

east coast and in Colombo. Attention was directed to 

these planted trees by examination of a specimen 

collected in Batticaloa, Hyde 1658 (C.P. 1121) 

(PDA), which has the leaves and scaliness of T. 

populneoides but the short erect pedicels of T. populnea. A visit to Batticaloa was arranged, and trees 

were located at Kallady, in a vacant lot in the village, Fosberg et al. 50993, 50994 (US, PDA, K) , which have the leaf shape of T. populneoides as well 

as rather long pedicels. The pedicels varied a great 

deal in length, even on the same tree, and minute 

bractlets could be seen at or near the pedicel bases, 

but the articulations were generally basal. The general color of the trees was green, not the coppery 

bronze of T. populneoides. A search was made for 

fruits, as the seed character has generally proved to 

be diagnostic. No fruits were found more than about 

15 mm in diameter and height. They seemed to drop 

off at about this size. Several collected on number 

50994 dehisced on drying but had no seeds developed. 

South along this coast, 5 miles south of Thylankuda, Fosberg et al. 51010 (US, K), were similarly 

sterile trees, but with shorter pedicels and leaves almost as in T. populnea. Similar planted specimens 

were found in south India, at Rameswaram, on Pamban Island, Gulf of Mannar, Fosberg 51235 (US). A 

specimen from “Hosur. Dt. Salem,” Yeshoda 663 
NUMBER 7 13 

(NY) , with rather broad leaf sinuses and rather long, 

but articulate pedicels, may also belong to this population. A similar plant was found northeast of Hambantota, Ceylon, but with strong articulations well 

above the pedicel bases, Fosberg et al. 51212 (US, 

PDA) . Wherever this planted population was observed, 

fruits were searched for, but no well-developed ones 

were seen. All were aborted before they had reached 

more than 12-15 mm diameter. The most reasonable 

interpretation of this situation seems to be that one 

or, more likely, several vegetatively propagated hybrid clones make up the planted populations of Thespesia in Ceylon and south India, while the naturally 

occurring stands include local populations of the 

parent species. 

Addendum 

After the above was written, the authors had an 

opportunity for further study of the relationship of 

these two species in Ceylon. T. populneoides was 

discovered in two areas on the island, both somewhat 

inland, touching the coast at one place. Occasional 

populations were seen in the northwestern part, between Jaffna Lagoon and Mannar, in low semiopen 

swampy areas somewhat inland (Fosberg 53582, 

53588). Back of Arugam Bay and south to Panama, 

in the southeastern part of the island, in open areas 

around wet depressions and tanks (reservoirs), it was 

also common (Fosberg, Sachet and Jayasuria 52921, 

53022), touching the coast at the south end of Arugam Bay (Fosberg, Sachet and Jayasuria 52928). At 

this latter locality, a single tree of T. populneoides 

was found in association with a population of individuals that at first sight appeared to be T. populnea 

and growing just back of the beach in a typical 

habitat for this latter species. 

On closer examination, these plants, at least those 

that were examined closely (Fosberg, Sachet and 

Jaymuria 52929, 52930, 52931 ) , proved to be variously intermediate but nearer to T. populnea. The 

fruits examined were mostly sterile, though approaching full size, but several had one or two fully formed 

seeds. 

The Thespesia population in the Puttalam-Kalpitiya area (Fosberg and Jayasuria 52740) where the 

trees are very abundant, planted as living fence posts, 

are not or scarcely distinguishable morphologically 

from T. populnea except for occasional slightly longer 

pedicels, but no grown fruits were seen. Some, about 

half size, had no seeds developed. This is possibly a 

hybrid clone that has mostly T. populnea characters. 

Literature Cited 

Baker, E. G. 

1897. 

Blume, C. L. 

1825-26. 

Notes on Thespesia, Journal of Botany 35:50-54. 

Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie. 

1169 pages. Batavia. 

Borssum Waalkes, J. van 

Capuron, R. 

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* U.6. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1972 0-484--316/20