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Thespesia grandiflora- a WOW Hibiscus tree!

Eric in Orlando

By Eric in Orlando
in TROPICAL LOOKING PLANTS - Other Than Palms

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Eric in Orlando Grand Master

Eric in Orlando

Posted
Posted

I saw this Thespesia grandiflora, Maga Tree, at the Kampong in Miami last week. This is the first time I have seen one in person and WOW!!! Big pink flowers about 4-5 inches across. The flowers look like those on fancy grafted Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It is native to Puerto Rico and grows 20-30 feet tall. It was formerly placed in the genus Montezuma.

Is anyone growing this tree?

post-231-0-75886400-1422289266_thumb.jpg

post-231-0-80574000-1422289291_thumb.jpg

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

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Kailua_Krish Veteran

Kailua_Krish

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Wow!

  • Upvote 1

-Krishna

Kailua, Oahu HI. Near the beach but dry!

Still have a garden in Zone 9a Inland North Central Florida (Ocala)

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DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

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How about a full-monty WOW shot of the whole tree?

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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mnorell Mentor

mnorell

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I have a couple of them that I got as small plants from Puerto Rico via eBay...one now in the ground, one still in a pot. The one in the pot is still less than two feet in height, but the specimen in the ground is now about 18 feet tall, after only a year and a half! And that scares me. It has so far refused to bloom for me here in the Keys, so perhaps it takes a little time after it gets the growing out of its system. Also there is something damaging some of the young leaves, some are stippled and somewhat unattractive because of it...though I can't see what's causing the damage. If this monster doesn't get its act together it might get the axe. I had no idea it was such a giant, and that it got to the sky so quickly.

I also have a couple of Talipariti elatum, from Cuba, much like the often-maligned T. tiliacea but I think it passes more muster with the grumbling native plant police since it is from just across the straits. This one has a broader, stiffer leaf and rather fantastic, somewhat multicolored/striped flowers. I think it's an impressive plant. It blooms in a small pot but becomes a tree like the others of its ilk.

But the best one of these tropical Hibiscus trees, IMHO, is Talipariti archboldianum, from New Guinea. Wow wow wow. There's a fantastic one in the conservatory at the Huntington in California. Boy do I wish I could get one of those to plant here...

Michael Norell

Rancho Mirage, California | 33°44' N 116°25' W | 287 ft | z10a | avg Jan 43/70F | Jul 78/108F avg | Weather Station KCARANCH310

previously Big Pine Key, Florida | 24°40' N 81°21' W | 4.5 ft. | z12a | Calcareous substrate | avg annual min. approx 52F | avg Jan 65/75F | Jul 83/90 | extreme min approx 41F

previously Natchez, Mississippi | 31°33' N 91°24' W | 220 ft.| z9a | Downtown/river-adjacent | Loess substrate | avg annual min. 23F | Jan 43/61F | Jul 73/93F | extreme min 2.5F (1899); previously Los Angeles, California (multiple locations)

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DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
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Wow, indeed.

Here's a picture of the New Guinean in the Big H, I think:

Gardenology.org-IMG_1967_hunt08sep.jpg

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

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Eric in Orlando Grand Master

Eric in Orlando

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How about a full-monty WOW shot of the whole tree?

No, I didn't get the whole tree. It is growing next to the old house there. I took those photos from a 2nd story open patio deck. I couldn't get the whole tree as the sun was right in the camera.

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

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Eric in Orlando Grand Master

Eric in Orlando

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That T. archboldianum is nice!

There is a "dwarf" Portia/Mahoe being sold in SoFL. I believe it is Thespesia lampas.

Eric

Orlando, FL

zone 9b/10a

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  • 2 weeks later...
fastfeat Grand Master

fastfeat

Posted
Posted

Nice, Eric. Will look through my old pics from Fairchild. Big tree(s?) down near lowlands parking lot.

SoCal and SoFla; zone varies by location.

'Home is where the heart suitcase is'...

_____

"If, as they say, there truly is no rest for the wicked, how can the Devil's workshop be filled with idle hands?"

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  • 6 years later...

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