Thespesia populnea
Pacific Rosewood
Miro RR
f.MALVACEAE
Hibiscuses
Thespesia populnea
Pacific Rosewood
Miro RR
f.MALVACEAE
Hibiscuses
Cook Islands Status Summary
Show Notes
Intl. NamesPacific Rosewood EN False Rosewood EN Indian Tulip Tree EN Large‑leaved Tulip Tree EN Polynesian Rosewood EN Portia Tree EN Pappelblättriger Eibisch DE Bois de Rose d'Oceanie FR
Local NamesMiroRR,MG,AT,MK,MT,AK,TNw,MH MiloTNs
Pacific NamesMilo SAM
Sci. NamesThespesia populnea (accepted name)
, Hibiscus populneus, Thespesia acutiloba, Thespesia populnea var. acutiloba
High Tax. Eng.k.Plants, p.Flowering Plants, f.Hibiscuses - a tree
High Tax. Latink.PLANTAE, p.ANTHOPHYTA, c.MAGNOLIOPSIDA, sc.DILLENIIDAE, o.Malvales, f.MALVACEAE
Natl. PresencePresent
Sth. PresenceRR++MG++AT++MK++MT++AK++PL?MN-TK?
Nth. PresenceTN++MH+RK- XPK-NS-SW-
VouchersNo Content
Local OriginNative; Resident; OR Introduced; Polynesian; Naturalised
Global RangeNative: e.Africa - Samoa - ?Cooks - ?Societies;
HabitatLand; Lowlands, Coastal, Horticultural Zone
ThreatenedSub-nationally endangered - seriously
InvasivenessNo Content
BiosecurityNo Content
Medical StatusMedicine
Harmful StatusNo Content
UsesOrnamental - leaves, flowers; Material - for timber
IdentificationNo Content
Similar SpeciesNo Content
Interest NoteA very widespread native tree from east Africa to Samoa. In more...the Cook Islands and French Polynesia, and in Hawaii, it might be native but could also have been a Polynesian Introduction for its excellent wood.
This tree was NOT named after Portia the heroic heiress and 'lady barrister' in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Portia (hence Portia Tree) was derived from Tamil name puarassu, meaning "king-flower". Although not well known in the Pacific, Portia Tree is used widely in the English speaking world.
This tree was NOT named after Portia the heroic heiress and 'lady barrister' in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice. Portia (hence Portia Tree) was derived from Tamil name puarassu, meaning "king-flower". Although not well known in the Pacific, Portia Tree is used widely in the English speaking world.
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Vernacular Names
no data available
Invasive/Pest Status
no data available
Biosecurity
Citation Information
McCormack, Gerald (2026) Cook Islands Biodiversity & Ethnobiology Database, Version 2026.05.19 - Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga. Online at https://naturalheritage.gov.ck/cibed
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