Assyrian Plum, Sebastan tree
Cordia myxa

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A shrubby evergreen tree. It grows to 12 m high. The trunk can be 1-1.5 m wide. The leaves are broad and pointed and have teeth along the edges. The male and female flowers are white or cream and in loose panicles at the ends of branches. The fruit are small and nutlike. They are yellow, orange-pink or black. It has sweet, sticky flesh.

There are about 300 Cordia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on rocky soils. It grows in dry to moist deciduous forests between 200-1,500 m above sea level. It can grow in deserts and arid conditions. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, China (country/location of origin), Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Ivory Coast, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Vanuatu, Yemen, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled in water then mixed with salt and chilli peppers. The flowers are also eaten. The ripe fruit are eaten. They are mixed with honey to make a sweetmeat. The seed kernels are eaten. The young tender fruit are eaten as a vegetable. They are also pickled. They can be dried and stored.

It is fairly commonly used in West Africa.

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, leaves, fruit, flowers

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seeds are soaked in cold water for 6 hours before planting and then germinate in 40-60 days. Seedlings in a nursery can be planted out after 4-6 months. It can also be grown by stem cuttings.

It is fairly fast growing. It starts flowering when 3-5 years old. It flowers and fruits all year round. Fruit ripen in 30-45 days. A tree can produce 20 kg of fruit is a year.

Its other names

Local names

Balatha, Bhokri, Clammy-cherry, Glue berry, Gonda, Goy, Gundi, Idondo, Iriki, Lamotinalika, Lasoda, Lasura, Magora, Nakerachettu, N'tegue, Pohon lasura, Samadjo, Sapistan, Sebesten-plum, Selu, Shelti, Sudan teak, Taung-thanut, Thanat, Vidi maram, Wadganda

Synonyms

Cordia domestica ; Cornus obliqua Willd.;