Scarlet Cordia
Cordia sebestena

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It can lose its leaves. It grows up to 10 m high. The leaves are oval and the base is sometimes heart shaped. They are 10-20 cm long. There are teeth on the edge near the tip. The flowers are deep red or orange. They are funnel shaped. The lobes spread out. The fruit are large and creamy white. They are fleshy and 2.5 cm across.

There are about 300 Cordia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in tropical America. It is very salt tolerant. It needs sandy, well drained soil. It needs full sun. It cannot tolerate cold temperatures. It is damaged by frost. It can tolerate drought. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, Micronesia, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South America, Tanzania, Thailand, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Is., West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. They are also boiled or used in pickles. They are used for jams. The bark and flowers are used to make a sugary syrup.

Edible parts

Fruit, bark, flowers, seeds

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. It can also be grown by air-layering.

It is very slow growing. Flowers are fruit are produced all year round.

Its other names

Local names

Al-mukhiat, Anaconda, Broadleaf Cordia, Geiger Tree, Joaquin, Kanava palagi, Kelau, Kou-haole, Lolu, Siricote blanco, Vomitel amarillo

Synonyms

Sebesten sebestena (L.) Britton;