Cordia laevigata

Lam.

West Indian Cherry

Boraginaceae Edible: Fruit 73 iNaturalist observations

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Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 10-20 m high. The leaves are broadly oval and 10 cm long. They are glossy dark green. The flowers are small and white. There are many flowers in a cluster. The fruit is small and red. It is 0.8 cm across.

Edible Uses

Although we have seen no specific information for this species, the fruits of most Cordia species are comprised of a thin to fairly thick layer of pulpy, sweetish-tasting flesh surrounding a single seed and are more or less edible, (though some are known to cause gastric disturbances).

Traditional Uses

The pulp of the fruit is eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It needs an average, well drained soil. It needs full sun. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Central America, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, West Indies,

Cultivation

The plant flowers and produces fruit at irregular periods through the year, frequently producing quantities of fruit.

Other Uses

The wood is used chiefly for posts. The wood of most species in this genus is hard and, where the plants grow large enough, the wood is often harvested at least locally for use in construction etc and also for making charcoal.

Notes

There are about 300 Cordia species.

Synonyms

Cordia nitida Vahl.

Also Known As

Glossy Cordia, Red manjack

References (4)

Ekman Herbarium records Haiti
Fouqué, A. 1972. Espèces fruitières d'Amérique tropicale. Institut français de recherches fruitierès outre-mer (ifac) (As Cordia nitida)
Llamas, K.A., 2003, Tropical Flowering Plants. Timber Press. p 148
West, Bidrag Ste.-croix 275. 1793