Bird Lime Tree, Clammy-cherry
Cordia dichotoma

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree, that loses its leaves at some times of the year. They are 5 to 15 m high. It can grow up to 27 m tall and be 50 cm across in the trunk. The tree has spreading branches. The bark is 2 cm thick and grey. It is deeply cracked. The leaves are alternate, smooth and pointed at both ends. They have 2-3, easy to see, veins. The veins are hairy on the underside. They are 5-8 cm long and 2-4 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 3-4 cm long. The flowers are white or yellow, and borne in flower clusters at the ends of branches. The flower clusters are 1-5 cm across, while individual flowers are 2 mm across. The flowers are orange, and funnel shaped at the base. Male and both sex flowers occur on separate trees. The fruit are yellowish white or pink, and soft but with a hard stone. They are 2 cm across and contain a sticky juice. The fruit is sweet and edible.

There are about 300 Cordia species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows near rainforests and near the coast. It suits humid locations. It can tolerate wind and salt spray. It is very sensitive to frost. It requires a well drained soil, in a sunny position. They are common and widely distributed in secondary forest and open places at low altitudes in the Philippines. In Nepal it grows between 300-1400 m altitude. In India is grows in all warmer parts of the subcontinent. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Marquesas, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The pulpy portion of the ripe fruit is eaten raw or stewed. Immature fruit are pickled or eaten in curries. The seeds are also claimed to be edible, but it is not sure if treatment was needed before eating. Oil is extracted from the seeds and used in cooking. The young leaves and shoots are cooked as a vegetable. The flowers are also eaten.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. The fruit are sold in markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, fruit, flowers, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh. It can also be grown from semi-ripe cuttings.

Plants are fairly slow growing. In Nagaland fruit are available June to August.

Its other names

Local names

Abota, Anonang, Bahubara, Bahuvaraka, Bargund, Bhokar, Bhoker, Boal, Bohal, Bohari, Bohori, Bokar, Buch, Bulu, Buralessura, Cheruviri, Chikkachalle, Chinna nakkeru, Chokargond, Chota, Doba khari, Doddachalle, Gadgundi, Glue Berry Tree, Gobarhuta, Gondan, Gondi, Goohalo, Gunda, Hpak-mong, Indian-cherry, Kal, Kalahuza, Karadisellai, Kasondeh, Kendal, Kotra, Lashora, Lasoda, Lasoora, Lasora, Lasorda, Lassora, Lasura, Lasuri, Laswara, Lesua, Lisora, Muk-fang, Naruvali, Naruviri, Nunang, Pa-mi-shing, Patinga, Paw man, Peddanakkera, Periyaviri, Perunarubili, Pohon lasora besar, Puzhuventhekku, Sebestan plum, Selvat, Shelvant, Shelvati, Shembadi, Siumung esing, Thanapet, Thanat, Thanut, Tun-paw-man, Uddalaka, Vargund, Viri, Virimaram

Synonyms

Cordia indica Lam.; Cordia loureiri Roem. et Schult.; Cordia myxa Roxb. non Linn.; Cordia obliqua Willd.; Cordia tomentosa Wall.; Cordia wallichii G. Don; Cordia grandis Wall.; and others