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GREEN NOTES

Gorgeous Portia Green Notes

Sun-kissed flowers Flowers of Portia trees

The heart-shaped leaves of Portia trees on Kazhakuttom Bypass road (Poovarau) are dancing in the wind. The yellow flowers shimmer in the sunlight.

Portia tree (Thespesia populnea Soland) originated in India and is common in tropical parts of the world. The Tahitians consider Portia sacred and grow it near places of worship.

It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that grows up to 15 metres in height. Propagation is done through seeds and cuttings. The trunk of the tree is brownish with corrugated bark. The branches are closely placed, forming a dense crown.

The heart-shaped leaves are broad, shiny dark-green and turn yellow seasonally. The cup-shaped hibiscus-like pale yellow flowers last for one or two days. Then they turn maroon and fall. Flowers are produced throughout the year.

The fruits are globular, turban-shaped capsules and contain greyish-brown seeds.

The main characteristic of Portia is that it is a mangrove tree that provides shelter and food to many creatures of the mangroves. The paste from the seeds are used to treat scabies and other skin diseases.

The yellowish juice extracted from the young fruit is used to treat insect bites, ringworm, scabies and to remove warts.

The leaf and flower buds are eaten raw or cooked in Hawaii. The strong fibrous bark is used to make ropes. The timber is hard, termite-resistant, and is dark-red in colour.

The timber is often used to carve wooden food bowls and utensils in Hawaii. A yellow dye is obtained from the flower and fruits, and a red one from the bark and heartwood.

Portia is quick growing, and is a good garden tree.

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