Thespesia populnea | Dried Botanical ID

Name and publication

Thespesia populnea (L.) Sud. Ex Corrêa, Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 9: 290 (1807).

Description

Decorticated fruits of the corktree or bendytree are sold as “peepal pods” in the potpourri trade. These capsules resemble five-angled pumpkins, 2-3.5 cm in diameter, covered with a fine, anastomosing net.

Nativity and distribution

Thespesia populnea is pantropical in littoral habits. This is a potentially invasive species in tropical climates.

Family

Malvaceae

Synonymy

Hibiscus populneus L.

Thespesia macrophylla Blume

several fruits; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.	fruits showing net covering; photo by Lyndon Photography
fruit, close-up; photo by Lyndon Photography	fruits showing net covering, dyed orange (left) and yellow (right); photo by Christina Southwick
fruits, dyed orange (left) and yellow (right), top view; photo by Christina Southwick	fruits, dyed orange (left) and yellow (right), lateral view; photo by Christina Southwick