Koda tree, Silky Ash, Heliotrope tree
Ehretia acuminata

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A medium sized to tall tree. It can grow 10-25 m tall and spread 5-12 m across. It loses its leaves during the year. The stem has deep channels along it. The bark is light grey and develops cracks along it. The young leaves are light green. The leaves are 7-15 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are dark green on top and paler underneath. They are oval and thin textured. The edges of the leaves have coarse teeth. The flowers are about 0.5 cm across. They are white and have a sweet scent. The flowers occur on branched clusters 5-20 cm long. These can be at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. The fruit is 4-6 mm across. It is round and orange and splits open when ripe. The fruit occur in large numbers. The ripe fruit is edible.

There are about 50-75 Ehretia species. They mostly grow in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in rainforests and moist forests in tropical and subtropical areas. It suits humid locations. Often they occur along the banks of streams. It requires well drained soil. In Western China it grows up to 1500 m altitude. It cannot stand frost. Trees can tolerate sun from an early stage. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, East Africa, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten mostly raw. The unripe fruit are pickled in India. The leaves are used in herbal drinks.

The fruit are eaten especially by children. Young leaves are exported to mix with tea.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed should be sown fresh. They usually germinate within 2 weeks. Plants can be grown from cuttings.

It is a fast growing tree. In Australia fruit mature March to April from trees flowering in September to November. In NE India plants flower and fruit March to April.

Its other names

Local names

Anonang, Arjun, Bol-artok, Bual, Chelwan-arong, Chillay, Churnwood, Dieng-basier, Gual, Hou ke shu, Jasim-jola, Kala huja, Kalthaun, Kath guwa, Kendal, Koda, Kom, Kula-aja, Kur-kuria, Lahichan, Nalshina, Narra, Pania, Panyan, Petthin, Pohon ehretia koda, Pudila, Punia, Punna, Punyan, Puran, Shaursi, Susang esing, Taw-petsut, Uzalm Pojar, Zibyin, Wu-lan-tzu

Synonyms

Cordia thyrsiflora Siebold & Zuccarini; Ehretia acuminata var. grandifolia Pampanini; Ehretia acuminata var. obovata (Lindley) I. M. Johnston; Ehretia acuminata var. serrata (Roxb.) I. M. Johnson; Ehretia argyi H. Léveillé; Ehretia kantonensis Masamune; Ehretia serrata Roxb.; Ehretia serrata Roxburgh var. obovata Lindley; Ehretia taiwaniana Nakai; Ehretia thyrsiflora (Siebold & Zuccarini) Nakai.;