Thespesia populnea (Malvaceae) - Plate 591

Society Islands (Parts 28 - 31)

Line engraving by Daniel MacKenzie, after Sydney Parkinson (1769) Joseph Banks and his party saw this species at: Otaheite, Society Islands (13 April-1 June and 4 June-13 July 1769) Commonly called the Portia tree, this is a handsome small tree growing on and near the seashores. Its beautiful yellow flowers turn reddish late in the day. The wood is prized by Pacific peoples for carving.

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Note:
This print is also illustrated as Plate 23 on page 65 of Joseph Banks' Florilegium: Botanical Treasures from Cook's First Voyage, published by Thames & Hudson Ltd