Thespesia thespesioides, commonly known as Thurber’s Cotton, is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to monsoon forests, coastal woodlands, and riverine habitats in the Northern Territory of Australia. It can grow to a height of 33 feet (10 meters) and a width of 15 feet (5 meters), with a dense, rounded canopy. The bark is smooth and gray, and the plant produces showy, hibiscus-like yellow flowers with a maroon center during the summer months, which are attractive to a variety of pollinators.

Thurber’s Cotton is valued for its ornamental features, including its glossy green foliage and vibrant flowers. It is used in cultivation for urban planting, as a feature or shade tree in parks and gardens, and for screening purposes due to its dense growth habit. This species is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-drained, and it has moderate water requirements. While it thrives in full sun, it can also tolerate part shade, making it versatile for different garden settings. There are no widely recognized cultivars of this species in the horticultural trade. Potential problems include susceptibility to root rot in poorly drained soils and pests such as aphids and scale insects.CC BY-SA 4.0