Milo, Thespesia Populnea Description Milo is a tree native to the coastal areas of the eastern tropics. Milo was formerly commonly found in Hawaii. It stands about40 feet tall, and is a popular shade tree for homes. The Milo's trunk is about 2 feet in diameter. The wood is hard and yellow brown in color. It has shiny, heart-shaped leaves. Their yellow flowers fade to pinkish purple as the day progresses. The bell-shaped flowers are 2 to 3 inches in diameter. flowers bloom most of the year. Seed cases are round, woody, five celled, about an inch in diameter. the seed cases have a fuzzy covering. Habitat Milo is found in coastal areas, and sometimes along rivers near mangrove trees.

Propogation Fresh seeds germinate from 4 weeks to 3 months. Seedlings are ready for transplanting one to two weeks after germination. Plants do well in full sun or partial shade.

The house of Kamehameha I in Waikiki was surrounded by Milo trees. In ancient Hawaii, the beautifully grained Milo wood was made into calabashes. The tree was also used to make dye, medicine, oil, and gum. The young leaves are edible.