Peruvian Cordia, Yellow Cordia
Cordia lutea

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows to 8 m high. It forms a stout trunk. The bark is grey and peels off. The leaves are bright green and rounded or oval. They are 5-8 cm long. They are smooth above and paler and hairy underneath. There are fine teeth around the edge. The flowers are light yellow. They are funnel shaped and 2.5 cm wide. They occur in large clusters.

There are about 300 Cordia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on arid slopes and near watercourses. It does not like wet conditions. It suits plant hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Argentina, Asia, Colombia, Ecuador, Galapagos, Guyana, India, Marquesas, Pacific, Peru (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown by air-layering.

Its other names

Local names

Babosa, Bryuyo, Cuajaro, Moyuyo, Murcielago, Muyuyo hembra, Muyuyu, Oberal, Overal, Overo, Uva, Uvito

Synonyms

Calyptracordia rotundifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) Friesen; Cordia flava (Andersson) Gürke; Cordia marchionica Drake; Cordia rotundifolia Ruiz & Pav.; Ectemis lutea (Lam.) Raf.; Firensia lutea (Lam.) Raf.; Gerascanthus luteus (Lam.) Borhidi; Gerascanthus rotundifolius (Ruiz & Pav.) Borhidi; Lithocardium flavum (Andersson) Kuntze; Lithocardium rotundifolium Kuntze; Varronia flava Andersson; Varronia rotundifolia (Ruiz & Pav.) A.DC.;