Malvaceae. 



of moths which feed on the leaves and also mature capsules. Mr. Gerrit Wilder, 

 however, succeeded in growing a few plants from healthy seeds collected by the 

 writer. 



THESPESIA Corr. 



Involueral bracts 3 to 5, small. Calyx not punctate, usually cup-shaped and trun- 

 cate. Staminal column antheriferous below the toothed apex. Ovary 5-celled, with few 

 ascending ovules in each cell; style club-shaped, 5-grooved. Capsule woody or coriaceous, 

 almost baccate, dehiscent or almost indehiscent. Seeds woolly; cotyledons black-punc- 

 tate. Trees with entire leaves. Flowers large, single in the axils of the leaves. 



This genus possesses only a few species in tropical Asia and Polynesia. T. 

 populnea (L.) Corr., the Hawaiian ~M.Ho, is a cosmopolitan beach-tree, occurring 

 in tropical Africa, Asia and Polynesia; in Hawaii it is not as common now as 

 in the early days. 



Thespesia populnea (L). Corr. 

 Milo. 



THESPESIA POPULNEA (L.) Corr. in Ann. Mus. Par. IX. (1807) 290, t. 8. fig. 2; 

 DC. Prodr. I. (1824) 457; H. et A. Bot. Beech. (1832) 60; Endl. Fl. Suds. 

 (1836) 182. no. 1506; Gray Bot. U. S. E. E. (1854) 179;' Seem. Fl. Vit. (1865) 

 18; Mann in Proc. Ess. Inst. V. (1867) 140; Mrs. Sincl. Indig. Flow. Haw. Isl. 

 (1885) pi. 10; Hbd. Fl. Haw. Isl. (1888) 49; Del Cast. 111. Fl. Ins. Mar. Pac. 

 VI. (1890) 119; Brigham Ka Hana Kapa, Mem. B. P. B. Mus.. III. (1911) 135. 

 Hibiscus populneus Linn. Spec. pi. ed. I. (1753) 694. H. bacciferus Forst. Prodr. 

 (1786) no. 260. 



Leaves roundish, cordate, acuminate entire, 10 to 12.5 cm in diameter, glabrous; 

 peduncles as long as the petioles; involucral bracts lanceolate equalling the calyx, soon, 

 deciduous; calyx truncate 12 mm; petals obovate-oblong 5 cm, yellow; capsule globose, 24 

 to 30 mm in diameter, almost woody, very tardily dehiscent; seed 8 mm, villous at the 

 base and angles. 



The Milo, like the Hau, is a tree not uncommonly found along the sandy 

 beaches on all the islands. Its habit of growth is, however, different, as it 

 develops a straight trunk of often 2 feet or more in diameter, with a thick ccr- 

 rugated bark. 



It is a favorite shade tree, reaching a height of over 40 feet, and is often 

 planted. The name Milo occurs also in Tonga, Samoa, and Tahiti for the same 

 tree, while it is called Miro in Rarotonga and Mulo in Viti. 



Hillebrand in his Flora p. 50 remarks that the tree was regarded sacred in 

 Tahiti and used to be planted in Morais or temples and its leaves were employed 

 in religious ceremonies. That the tree was held in high esteem by the Hawaiians 

 is shown by the fact that several of them surrounded the house of King Kame- 

 hameha I. at Waikiki. 



The wood of the Milo is very beautiful, being of a rich brown color and 

 capable of taking a fine polish. It is made into poi calabashes by the natives, 

 and is highly prized, though not so much as those of the less common Ron, 

 (Cordia subcordata) . 



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