Hibiscus tiliaceus

{{Short description|Species of flowering tree}} {{Speciesbox | image = Fleur de pūrau (hibiscus tiliaceus).jpg | image_caption = Sea hibiscus from Tahiti | image2 = Hibiscus tiliaceus Blanco2.274-cropped.jpg | image2_caption = Sea hibiscus from ''Flora de Filipinas'' (Francisco Manuel Blanco, 1880-1883) | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn">{{cite iucn |author=Rivers, M.C. |author2=Mark, J. |year=2022 |amends=2019 |title=''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' |volume=2022 |article-number=e.T61786470A223047685 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T61786470A223047685.en |access-date=1 July 2024}}</ref> | status2 = G5 | status2_system = TNC | status2_ref = <ref name=natureserve>{{Cite web |publisher = NatureServe |title = Hibiscus tiliaceus |work = NatureServe Explorer |url = http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Hibiscus+tiliaceus+ |access-date = 2007-07-03 |archive-date = 2007-09-29 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122627/http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Hibiscus+tiliaceus+ }}</ref> | genus = Hibiscus | species = tiliaceus | authority = L. (1753) | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies and varieties | subdivision = *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''crestaensis'' {{small|Borss.Waalk.}} *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''pernambucensis'' {{small|(Arruda) A.Cast.}} *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' var. ''potteri'' {{small|(O.Deg. & Greenwell) H.St.John}} *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''tiliaceus'' |subdivision_ref = <ref name = powo>{{Cite web |title=''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' L. |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30143354-2 |access-date=23 June 2024 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}</ref> | synonyms = *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' var. ''genuinus'' {{small|Hochr. (1900), not validly publ.}} *''Hibiscus tiliifolius'' {{small|Salisb. (1796), nom. superfl.}} *''Parita tiliaceus'' {{small|(L.) Scop. (1777), combination not made.}} *''Pariti tiliaceum'' {{small|(L.) A.Juss. (1825)}} *''Pariti tiliifolium'' {{small|Nakai (1936), nom. superfl.}} *''Talipariti tiliaceum'' {{small|(L.) Fryxell (2001)}} | synonyms_ref = <ref name = powo/> }}

'''''Hibiscus tiliaceus''''', commonly known as the '''sea hibiscus''' or '''coast cottonwood''', is an evergreen species of flowering tree in the mallow family, Malvaceae, with a pantropical distribution along coastlines. It has also been introduced to Florida and New Zealand. It has been debated whether this species is native or introduced to Hawaii.<ref name="iucn" />

== Names == Common names include '''sea hibiscus''', '''beach hibiscus''', '''coastal''' (or '''coast''') '''hibiscus''', '''coastal''' (or '''coast''') '''cottonwood''', '''green cottonwood''', '''native hibiscus''', '''native rosella''', '''cottonwood hibiscus''', '''kurrajong''', '''sea rosemallow''' and '''dhigga''' (Maldivian).

The plant was introduced {{where|date=July 2024}} by Austronesian peoples that voyaged across Southeast Asia and Oceania as a source of wood and fibre.<ref name="Prebble2012">{{cite book|first1=Matiu |last1=Prebble|first2=Atholl |last2=Anderson|editor1-first=Atholl |editor1-link=Atholl Anderson |editor1-last=Anderson |editor2-first=Douglas J. |editor2-last=Kennett|title =Taking the High Ground: The archaeology of Rapa, a fortified island in remote East Polynesia|chapter =The archaeobotany of Rapan rockshelter deposits|publisher =ANU E Press|series =terra australis|volume=37|year =2012|pages=77–95|isbn =978-1-922144-25-6|chapter-url =http://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p204851/pdf/ch043.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Dotte-Sarout2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dotte-Sarout |first1=Emilie |last2=Kahn |first2=Jennifer G. |title=Ancient woodlands of Polynesia: A pilot anthracological study on Maupiti Island, French Polynesia |journal=Quaternary International |date=November 2017 |volume=457 |pages=6–28 |doi=10.1016/j.quaint.2016.10.032|bibcode=2017QuInt.457....6D }}</ref> This is reflected in the names of the plant as spoken in many related languages spoken in those regions including '''''balibago''''' (Tagalog), '''''malobago''''' (Bikol), '''''malabago''''' or '''''malbago''''' (Cebuano – Southern), '''''maribago''''' (Cebuano – Northern), '''''lambago''''' (Cebuano - Cagayan de Oro), '''''waru''''' (Sundanese & Javanese), '''''varo''''' (Malagasy), '''''baru''''' or '''''bebaru''''' (Malay), '''''pagu''''' (Chamorro), '''''hau''''' (Hawaiian), '''''fau''''' (Samoan), '''''purau''''' (Tahitian), and '''vau tree''' (Vietnamese).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acd.clld.org/cognatesets/25187#2/-10.1/153.8|title=*baRu: a small shore tree: Hibiscus tiliaceus|last1=Blust|first1=Robert|last2=Trussel|first2=Stephen|website=Austronesian Comparative Dictionary|date=2010|publisher=Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology|access-date=30 September 2022}}</ref> The specific epithet, ''"tiliaceus"'', refers to its resemblance of the leaves to those of the related ''Tilia'' species.<ref name="WHPNA">{{cite web |url=http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/invweed/WeedsHI/W_Hibiscus_tiliaceus.pdf |first=P. |last=Motooka |author2=L. Castro |author3=D. Nelson |author4=G. Nagai |author5= L. Ching |title=Hibiscus tiliaceus Hau |work=Weeds of Hawaiʻi's Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide |publisher=University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |access-date=2010-02-16}}</ref>

==Description== ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' reaches a height of {{convert|4|-|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}, with a trunk up to {{convert|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter.<ref name="CFTH"/> The flowers of ''H. tiliaceus'' are bright yellow with a deep red center upon opening. Over the course of the day, the flowers deepen to orange and finally red before they fall. The branches of the tree often curve over time. The leaves are heart shaped and deep red in the var. ''rubra''.

==Distribution and habitat== [[File:Hibiscus pernambucensis.jpg|thumb|subsp. ''pernambucensis'' in Brazil]] ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' has a worldwide tropical distribution. In the Old World and Oceania, it is a common coastal plant in most of tropical Africa, South Asia (including the Maldives), Southeast Asia, parts of East Asia (as far north as central Japan, where it reaches its northernmost extent), eastern and northern Australia,<ref name="plantnet">{{cite web |title=Hibiscus tiliaceus |url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Hibiscus~tiliaceus |access-date=29 January 2019 |work=PlantNET - NSW Flora Online}}</ref> and much of the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii (where its establishment status is uncertain). It has also been introduced to New Zealand. A separate subspecies, subsp. ''pernambucensis'' (formerly considered a separate species, ''H. pernambucensis''), is native to the tropical New World, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and much of South America.<ref name = pernambucensis/> This variety has also been introduced to Florida.<ref name="iucn" /><ref name="CFTH">{{cite web |last=Little Jr. |first=Elbert L. |author2=Roger G. Skolmen |year=1989 |title=Hau, sea hibiscus |url=http://www2.ctahr.hawaii.edu/forestry/trees/CommonTreesHI/CFT_Hibiscus_tiliaceus.pdf |access-date=2010-02-16 |work=Common Forest Trees of Hawaii (Native and Introduced) |publisher=United States Forest Service}}</ref>

It is uncertain if the species is native to Hawaii, as it may have been introduced by Polynesians.<ref name="WHPNA" /> It is considered native by Plants of the World Online, but the IUCN considers it of uncertain status.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' L. {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30143354-2 |access-date=2022-06-27 |website=Plants of the World Online |language=en}}</ref><ref name="iucn" /> ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' can be found at elevations from sea level to {{convert|800|m|ft|abbr=on}} in areas that receive {{convert|900|–|2500|mm|in|abbr=on}} of annual rainfall. It is commonly found growing on beaches, by rivers, and in mangrove forests. Sea hibiscus is well adapted to grow in coastal environment as it tolerates salt and waterlogging and can grow in quartz sand, coral sand, marl, limestone,<ref name="TradTree">{{cite web |last=Elevitch |first=Craig R. |author2=Lex A.J. Thomson |date=April 2006 |title=Hibiscus tiliaceus (beach hibiscus) |url=http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/H.tiliaceus-beach-hibiscus.pdf |publisher=The Traditional Tree Initiative}}</ref> and crushed basalt.<ref name="RNGR">{{cite web |last=Allen |first=James A. |date=2003-01-01 |title=''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' L. |url=http://www.rngr.net/publications/ttsm/species/PDF.2004-03-03.4433/at_download/file |access-date=2009-03-01 |work=Tropical Tree Seed Manual |publisher=Reforestation, Nurseries & Genetics Resources |format=PDF}}</ref> It grows best in slightly acidic to alkaline soils (soil pH of 5–8.5).<ref name="TradTree" /> Cotton Tree, Queensland, Australia and Balibago, Angeles, Philippines are named for the plant.

==Subspecies and varieties== Four subspecies and varieties are accepted.<ref name = powo/> *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''crestaensis'' {{small|Borss.Waalk.}} – Philippines<ref>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77251616-1 ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''crestaensis'' Borss.Waalk.] ''Plants of the World Online''. Retrieved 24 June 2024.</ref> *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''pernambucensis'' {{small|(Arruda) A.Cast.}} (synonym ''Hibiscus pernambucensis'' {{small|Arruda}}) – tropical Americas, from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to Ecuador and southern Brazil.<ref name = pernambucensis>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:122025-2 ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''pernambucensis'' (Arruda) A.Cast.] ''Plants of the World Online''. Retrieved 24 June 2024.</ref> *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' var. ''potteri'' {{small|(O.Deg. & Greenwell) H.St.John}} – Hawaiian Islands<ref>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:886630-1 ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' var. ''potteri'' (O.Deg. & Greenwell) H.St.John]. ''Plants of the World Online''. Retrieved 24 June 2024.</ref> *''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''tiliaceus'' – west and west-central tropical Africa, east tropical Africa from Kenya to South Africa, Indian subcontinent, Indochina, southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Malesia, Papuasia, northern and eastern Australia, and the tropical Pacific islands.<ref>[https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:67412-3 ''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' subsp. ''tiliaceus'']. ''Plants of the World Online''. Retrieved 24 June 2024.</ref>

==Uses== [[File:Starr 020803-0107 Hibiscus tiliaceus.jpg|thumb|left|Sea hibiscus from Hawaii]] The wood of ''H. tiliaceus'' has a specific gravity of 0.6. It has been used in a variety of applications, such as seacraft construction, firewood, and wood carvings. It is easy to plane and turns well, so it is regarded by many as a high quality furniture wood. Plant fibers taken from the stems have traditionally been used in rope making,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Standley |first1=Paul C. |author-link1=Paul Carpenter Standley |last2=Blake |first2=S. F. |author-link2=Sidney Fay Blake |title=Trees and Shrubs of Mexico (Oxalidaceae-Turneraceae)|journal=Contributions from the United States National Herbarium |publisher=Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution|volume=23 |issue=3 |location=Washington, D.C.|page=780|date=1923|jstor=23492504 }}</ref> while its bark has been used like cork, in sealing cracks in boats. The bark and roots may be boiled to make a cooling tea to cool fevers, and its young leafy shoots may be eaten as vegetables. Native Hawaiians used the wood to make ''{{okina}}iako'' (spars) for ''wa{{okina}}a'' (outrigger canoes), ''mouo'' (fishing net floats), and ''{{okina}}au ko{{okina}}i'' (adze handles). ''Kaula {{okina}}ilihau'' (cordage) was made from the bast fibers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=hau |title=hau, hau kaʻekaʻe |publisher=Bernice P. Bishop Museum |work=Hawaii Ethnobotany Online Database |access-date=2009-02-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070702123224/http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/resultsdetailed.asp?search=hau |archive-date=2007-07-02 }}</ref> ''Hau'' would be used to make ''{{okina}}ama'' (canoe floats) if the preferred ''wiliwili'' (''Erythrina sandwicensis'') was unavailable.<ref name="Auwahi">{{cite web |url=http://www.hear.org/naturalareas/auwahi/ethnobotany_of_auwahi.pdf |title=Auwahi: Ethnobotany of a Hawaiian Dryland Forest |first=A. C. |last=Medeiros |author2=C.F. Davenport |author3=C.G. Chimera |publisher=Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa |year=1998}}</ref>

''Hibiscus tiliaceus'' is widely used in Asian countries, especially Taiwan, as a subject for the art of bonsai. The finest specimens are taken from Kenting National Park. Lending itself to free grafting, the leaf size is reduced fairly quickly. Its leaves are also used in cooking, as trays for steamed rice cakes (粿).

In Indonesia ''H. tiliaceus'' is also used for fermenting tempeh. The undersides of the leaves are covered in downy hairs known technically as trichomes to which the mold ''Rhizopus oligosporus'' can be found adhering in the wild. Soybeans are pressed into the leaf, and stored. Fermentation occurs resulting in tempeh.<ref name="The Book of Tempeh">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hdKzFlaqWT8C |format=PDF |title=The Book of Tempeh |first=William |last=Shirtleff |author2=Akiko Aoyagi |publisher=Soyinfo Center, Harper and Row |year=1979|isbn=978-0-06-014009-0 }}</ref>

Indigenous Australians traditionally used the inner bark of the tree to craft fishing nets and ropes, particularly for use with dugong and turtle harpoons. The wood was also employed in the making of shields. Medicinally, the inner bark and sapwood were soaked in water and heated with hot stones, producing a liquid that was applied to wash wounds. Strips of bark were additionally used as natural bandages, wrapped around injuries to cover and close them.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Petrie |first=Constance |title=Tom Petrie's Reminiscences of Early Queensland |date= |publisher=Angus and Robertson |year=1975}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Welsby |first=Thomas |title=Recollections of the Natives of Moreton Bay |publisher=University Society (Brisbane) |year=1916}}</ref>

===Chemistry=== Chrysanthemin (Cyanidin-3-glucoside) is the major anthocyanin found in flowers of ''H. tiliaceus''.<ref>Lowry, J.B. (1976). "Floral anthocyanins of some Malesian ''Hibiscus'' species". ''Phytochemistry'' '''15''': 1395–1396.</ref> Leaves of ''H. tiliaceus'' displayed strong free radical scavenging activity and the highest tyrosinase inhibition activity among 39 tropical plant species in Okinawa Prefecture.<ref>(Masuda ''et al''., 1999; 2005)</ref> With greater UV radiation in coastal areas, it is possible that leaves and flowers of natural coastal populations of ''H. tiliaceus'' have stronger antioxidant properties than planted inland populations.<ref>(Wong ''et al''., 2009; Wong & Chan, 2010).</ref>

==See also== *Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia *''Thespesia populnea''

==References== {{Reflist|24em}}

===Bibliography=== {{Commons category}} {{Wikispecies}} {{refbegin}} *Masuda, T., Yonemori, S., Oyama, Y., Takeda, Y., Tanaka, T., Andoh, T., Shinohara, A., Nakata, M. (1999). "Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of environmental plants: activity of the leaf extracts from seashore plants". ''Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry'' '''47''': 1749–1754. *Masuda, T., Yamashita, D., Takeda, Y., Yonemori, S. (2005). "Screening for tyrosinase inhibitors among extracts of seashore plants and identification of potent inhibitors from ''Garcinia subelliptica''". ''Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry'' '''69''': 197–201. *Wong, S.K., Lim, Y.Y., Chan, E.W.C. (2009). "Antioxidant properties of ''Hibiscus'': Species variation, altitudinal change, coastal influence and floral colour change". ''Journal of Tropical Forest Science'' '''21'''(4): 307–315. *Wong, S.K., Chan, E.W.C. (2010). "Antioxidant properties coastal and inland populations of ''Hibiscus tiliaceus''". ''ISME/GLOMIS Electronic Journal'' '''8'''(1): 1–2. http://www.glomis.com/ej/pdf/EJ_8-1.pdf. {{refend}}

{{Taxonbar|from1=Q15768656|from2=Q715899|from3=Q10292396}}

tiliaceus Category:Flora of Norfolk Island Category:Malvales of Australia Category:Flora of Queensland Category:Flora of the Maldives Category:Trees of Australia Category:Trees of the Philippines Category:Trees of the Pacific Category:Flora of Christmas Island Category:Plants described in 1753 Category:Botanical taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Category:Austronesian agriculture