Wild olive, Mexican olive
Cordia boissieri

Family: Boraginaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 5-7 m high. It spreads 3-5 m across. The leaves are yellow-green above and silvery underneath. The leaves are 5-10 cm long and 5-8 cm wide. They are oval and velvety. It keeps its leaves in warm climates and loses its leaves in colder places. The flowers are trumpet shaped and 7 cm wide. The flowers have yellow throats. There is a flower at the tip and others clustered below it. The fruit are like olives. They are 1.5-2.5 cm long and white or yellow-green. There is a single hard stone with 2 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It can grow in full sun or light shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Mexico, North America (country/location of origin), USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for jelly, jams or desserts. Caution: Some reports say the fruit should not be eaten in large amounts as they can cause dizziness.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. They are best sown fresh. They possibly grow better with some warm treatment of 20°C for 30 days and cold treatment at 4°C for another 30 days. The seeds can be sown in the stone and germinate in 3-6 weeks. Softwood cuttings can be used and is best is rooting hormone is used. Air layering is possible.

It has a moderate growth rate.

Its other names

Local names

Anacahuita, Nacahua, Texas olive

Synonyms

LIthocardium boissieri Kuntze;