Pollination Ecology of Indian Tulip Tree, Thespesia Populnea (L.) Sol. Ex Correa (Malvaceae), a Valuable Evergreen Tree Species for Coastal Ecorestoration

Thespesia populnea is a coastal evergreen tree species which flowers seasonally. The flowers are hermaphroditic, self-compatible, self-pollinating, and principally melittophilous. The fruits are indehiscent, turban-shaped, capsules, which release seeds in tidal water upon the decay of their pericarp. Both fruits and seeds are buoyant and typically hydrochorous. This species is a source of wood, dye, food, traditional medicine, being also used as an ornamental and avenue tree. Therefore, it is important in coastal eco-restoration and carbon sequestration.