Though the flowers and young leaves are reported to be mildly poisonous, Milo is one of the few plants that were listed as an emergency food during World War IIby the US military for soldiers needing to live off the land.

Thespesia populnea, commonly known as the portia tree (/ˈpɔːrʃə/), Pacific rosewood, Indian tulip tree, or milo, among other names, is a species of flowering plant belonging to the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is a tree found commonly in villages of Tamil Nadu and on coasts around the world.

Like the mangroves, it provides shelter and food to many denizens of the coastal swamps. We can eat it, too. Young leaves, buds, and flowers are edible raw or cooked.

Portia tree is a plant of the moist to wet, lowland tropics and warm subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 150 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[418 ].. . . . .364011236335!]0000000000000009783314144653!]