Cordia polycephala

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A slender shrub. It grows 1-5 m tall. It can be climbing. The young stems are hairy. They can be 1.5 cm across. The leaves are alternate. The leaf blade is 4-15 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They are oval or sword shape. The veins are sunken. The lower side of the leaves is pale. There are many flowers without stalks. They are in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. The fruit are about 5 mm across. They are red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist forest along creeks.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antilles, Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Puerto Rico, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Indies

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Canary fruit, Caramona, Mijigrilo

Synonyms

Cordia corymbosa (Desv.) G. Don [Illegitimate]; Cordia monosperma (Jacq.) Roem & Schult.; Varronia corymbosa Desv.; Varronia monosperma Jacq.; Varronia polycephala Lam.; and many others