Talipariti tiliaceum (L.) Fryxell

Nomenclature

This species, currently recognized by the scientific name Talipariti tiliaceum (L.) Fryxell, is also widely referenced by the synonym Hibiscus tiliaceus in this description.

Size and Trunk

When growing as H. tiliaceus, it reaches a height of 4–10 m (13–33 ft), with a trunk up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter.

Initial Flower Color

Newly opened flowers are bright yellow with a deep red center.

Flower Color Progression

Over the course of the day, the flowers deepen in color to orange and finally red before falling from the tree.

Branch Structure

Its branches often curve over time.

Leaf Characteristics

The leaves are heart shaped, and they are deep red in the cultivar var. rubra.

Global Distribution Overview

This plant has a worldwide tropical distribution.

Old World and Oceania Distribution

In the Old World and Oceania, it is a common coastal plant across most of tropical Africa, South Asia (including the Maldives), Southeast Asia, parts of East Asia as far north as central Japan (its northernmost extent), eastern and northern Australia, and much of the Pacific Islands including Hawaii.

Introduced Range: New Zealand

It has also been introduced to New Zealand.

New World Subspecies Taxonomy and Distribution

A separate subspecies, subsp. pernambucensis, formerly classified as the separate species H. pernambucensis, is native to the tropical New World, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America.

Introduced Range: Florida

This subspecies has also been introduced to Florida.

Hawaii Native Status Uncertainty

It is uncertain if the main species is native to Hawaii, as it may have been introduced by Polynesians.

Hawaii Native Status Classification Differences

Plants of the World Online considers it native to Hawaii, while the IUCN lists its native status there as uncertain.

Elevation and Rainfall Requirements

This species can be found at elevations ranging from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft), growing in areas that receive 900–2,500 mm (35–98 in) of annual rainfall.

Common Habitats

It is commonly found growing on beaches, along rivers, and in mangrove forests.

Coastal Adaptations and Substrate Tolerance

Commonly called sea hibiscus, it is well adapted to coastal environments because it tolerates salt and waterlogging, and can grow in quartz sand, coral sand, marl, limestone, and crushed basalt.

Preferred Soil pH

It grows best in slightly acidic to alkaline soils, with a soil pH between 5 and 8.5.

Cultural Namesake

The town of Cotton Tree in Queensland, Australia is named for this plant.

Wood Specific Gravity

The wood of H. tiliaceus has a specific gravity of 0.6.

General Wood Uses

It has been used for many applications, including seacraft construction, firewood, and wood carvings.

Wood Workability and Furniture Use

It planes easily and turns well, so many people consider it a high-quality wood for furniture.

Stem Fiber and Bark Uses

Plant fibers harvested from the stems have traditionally been used to make rope, while its bark has been used similarly to cork to seal cracks in boats.

Edible and Medicinal Uses (General)

The bark and roots may be boiled to make a cooling tea to reduce fevers, and its young leafy shoots may be eaten as a vegetable.

Traditional Hawaiian Wood Uses

Native Hawaiians used the wood to make ʻiako (spars) for waʻa (outrigger canoes), mouo (fishing net floats), and ʻau koʻi (adze handles).

Traditional Hawaiian Fiber Uses

They made kaula ʻilihau (cordage) from the plant's bast fibers.

Traditional Hawaiian Canoe Float Use

Hau was used to make ʻama (canoe floats) if the preferred wiliwili (Erythrina sandwicensis) was unavailable.

Bonsai Cultivation

Hibiscus tiliaceus is widely grown as a bonsai subject in Asian countries, especially Taiwan.

Bonsai Source Location

The finest bonsai specimens are collected from Kenting National Park.

Bonsai Cultivation Traits

The species lends itself well to free grafting, and its leaf size reduces fairly quickly when cultivated for bonsai.

Leaf Use in Rice Cake Preparation

Its leaves are also used in cooking as trays for steamed rice cakes (粿).

Tempeh Fermentation Use

In Indonesia, H. tiliaceus is also used to ferment tempeh.

Leaf Trichome Characteristics

The undersides of the leaves are covered in downy hairs technically known as trichomes, to which the mold Rhizopus oligosporus naturally adheres in the wild.

Tempeh Production Process

Soybeans are pressed into the leaf and stored, and fermentation occurs to produce tempeh.

Indigenous Australian Fiber Uses

Indigenous Australians traditionally used the inner bark of this tree to craft fishing nets and ropes, particularly for ropes used with dugong and turtle harpoons.

Indigenous Australian Wood Use for Shields

The wood was also used to make shields.

Indigenous Australian Medicinal Wound Wash

For medicinal purposes, Indigenous Australians soaked inner bark and sapwood in water and heated the mixture with hot stones to produce a liquid, which was applied to wash wounds.

Indigenous Australian Bark Bandage Use

Strips of bark were also used as natural bandages, wrapped around injuries to cover and close them.