Sea trumpet, White bush apple
Cordia subcordata

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A spreading shrub or tree, 2-15 m high. It spreads to 3-10 m across. The stem is erect and the bark is grey and slightly rough. It has cracks along its length. The leaves are broad and oval. They are 8-20 cm long and 5-15 cm wide. Sometimes they have 2 lobes near the base, making the leaf heart-shaped. On the lower surface of the leaf, there are fine hairs near the veins. The leaves are glossy green on top and paler underneath. The leaf stalks are long (3-5 cm). The flowers are orange. They form a tube 3.5-5 cm long and with 5-7 broad lobes which spread to 3-4 cm across. The flower heads are made up of 6-20 flowers, and they occur at the ends of branches. The fruit is 2-3 cm long, by 1.5-2.5 cm across. It is green or yellow. It hangs down and turns brown when ripe. There is a single seed inside, and it is 2-3 cm long. The fruit has a beak at the tip and an apple like texture, but fairly hard.

The tree had important cultural importance by people of the Pacific. There are about 300 Cordia species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near beaches, above high tide level, in vine thickets. It is usually from sea level up to 30 m altitude. It can grow up to 150 m altitude. It needs well drained, moist soils, in an open sunny position. It needs full sun. It can grow on sandy and clay soils as well as limestone rocky places. It does best with a pH of 6.1-7.4. It can grow on salty soils. It is drought and frost tender. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, American Samoa, Asia, Australia, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Caroline Islands, China, Chuuk, Comoros, Cook Islands, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Malesia (country/location of origin), Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, Yap

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten raw. It is also cooked and used as a vegetable. The seeds are eaten. The flowers are pickled or eaten as a vegetable.

The seeds are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, nut, flowers

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed needs to be sown fresh. Whole fruit can be sown or the ends can be clipped to quicken the germination. Hardened or woody fruit can be soaked for 24 hours before sowing. Seeds normally germinate in 3-4 weeks. Seedlings can be planted into the field after 6-8 months.

Young plants can grow rapidly. In Australia the tree flowers from February to March and fruits March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Anau, Anda, Antafabory, Beach cordia, Cheng hua po bu mu, Galu, Ikoak, Ikoik, Ironwood, Island walnut, Jave, Kaani, Kalau, Kanau, Kanava, Kanaw, Kauni, Kaunibuka, Koa, Kono, Kou, Malmalsebuek, Mamalsebuet, Mankanai, Marer, Motou, Nawanawa, Niyoron, Pohon kalimasada, Puataukanave, Tauanave, Te kanawa, Thanat, Tou, Vaua asi

Synonyms

Cordia orientalis R. Br.; Cordia moluccana Roxb.; Cordia rumphii Blume;