Thespesia populnea is a species found along coastlines worldwide, potentially pantropical. It typically takes the form of a shrub or small tree. It is often found in littoral habitats, indicating a preference for the interface between land and sea, such as sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. It exhibits resilience to conditions such as salt spray and wind, thriving on shores of bays and inlets. The primary bioactive constituents identified in the plant are sesquiterpenes and phenolic compounds. These have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, analgesic, wound-healing, anti-Alzheimer, anti-ulcer, and anti-psoriasis effects in laboratory and animal studies. Photographed in the department of Atlantico, Colombia.