Common Name: Cypre

General Information

Cordia alliodora is a large, semi-evergreen tree with a longish, narrow, dense crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall[, ]. The almost straight, cylindrical bole is often clear of branches for 50 - 60% of its height; it is up to 50cm in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its use in traditional medicine, and for its edible fruit[]. One of the most important timber trees in the areas where it grows, it is often cultivated in plantations[, , ]. It is also sometimes grown as a shade tree for coffee and cocoa plantations and occasionally as a fruit crop[]. It is planted as an ornamental and street because of its abundant, attractive, white, fragrant flowers[, , ].
Cordia alliodora has a large native distribution and is not under any specific major threat. It is planted for use in construction and agroforestry, and it grows naturally inside protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

S America - Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean.

Habitat

Dry and wet forest, often of secondary growth, and commonly on moist limestone soils[, ]. A pioneer plant, it is found in a wide range of habitats from sea level up to 1,000 metres, occasionally to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Lepidoptera, Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of the lowland tropics, normally at elevations below 1,000 metres but occasionally found as high as 2,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the annual rainfall exceeds 2,000mm, but will also perform reasonably well with an annual rainfall as low as 750mm[]. It prefers a mean annual temperature of around 24°c[].
Plants are tolerant of a range of soil types, preferring moist but freely draining fertile soils[]. It is particularly suitable for calcareous soils in the more humid tropics[]. Growth on degraded soils and on sites with poor drainage is reduced[]. Requires a position in full sun[]. Plants are fairly tolerant of very windy conditions, showing less damage when exposed to hurricane winds than most species[].
The tree has been introduced into several areas for forestry. Its seeds are carried by the wind and the plant has escaped from cultivation in some of these areas and is showing every sign of becoming a problem[].
The crushed leaves and the fresh bark smell of garlic[, ].
The small, white flowers are fragrant[].
A fast-growing tree, on suitable sites, with good management, an annual height increase of 2 metres, coupled with 2 cm increase in diameter may be obtained during the first 10 years[]. A height of 30 - 40 metres and diameter of 40 - 55 cm at breast height are predicted for rotations of 20 - 25 years[].
Seedlings develop a strong taproot. Later, spreading roots also develop which may grow into buttresses[].
Flowering may start when the trees are only 2 years old, but more commonly between 5 - 10 years after planting[]. Plants can flower all year round when growing near the equator, but become seasonal when growing further away[]. Because of its abundant nectar, bees are strongly attracted to this plant[]. The tree has a high degree of self-incompatibility[].
Trees form a mutualistic relationship with various species of small biting ants. Swellings, known as domatia, are formed naturally at the ends of branches. These swellings are filled with a loose pithy material that is presumably easily removed by the ants who then live in the swellings and can act to deter pests from the tree[]..
The mature fruit is shed with the withered flower still attached, which acts as a parachute during fruit fall, possibly assisting wind dispersal[]. When harvesting seed for propagation it is important to only harvest mature seed. This is best done by shaking the branches to allow mature seed with a high viability rate to drop off[].
Young to middle-aged trees coppice readily and suckers are sometimes abundant[].
The bole is generally straight and cylindrical and often clear of branches 50 - 60% of the total tree height, even in open, uncrowded conditions[].
When grown as a shade tree in plantations, this species reduces the yield of the main crop, such as cocoa, but the extra income generated from the timber eventually compensates for this yield reduction[].

Edible Uses

The fruits are edible[, , ]. Not very tasty[]. The ellipsoid fruit is 5 - 7mm long and about 2mm wide[].

The bark is used as a condiment[].

Medicinal

The leaves are stimulant, stomachic and tonic[, ]. A decoction is used in the treatment of catarrh and lung conditions[, ].
A paste of the leaves is applied topically to treat bruises and swellings[]

An ointment made from the pulverised seeds is applied topically in the treatment of skin diseases[, , ].

Agroforestry Uses:

Cypre is a pioneer species that is very wind resistant and readily colonizes bare soils[]. Fast growing, it can be used to commence the process of restoring native woodland to an area[].
Because of its tall, straight stem, self-pruning habit and compact crown, combined with the ease with which it regenerates naturally on cleared sites and its positive effect upon soil conditions, it is commonly grown in association with many agricultural crops and in numerous agroforestry systems, eg as a shade tree in coffee and cocoa plantations and in pastures, often in combination with Erythrina poeppigiana[, ].
The flowers are very attractive to bees[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the thick layer of slightly lighter coloured sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain is slightly interlocked; lustre is medium; odour and taste are indistinct. The wood is moderately durable, being resistant to fungus attacks and with good resistance to termites. It is easy to season and work, and produces an attractive finish (pale golden-brown to brown with darker streaks). It has dimensional stability when dry, satisfactory mechanical characteristics. Of high quality, the wood is used in construction for making doors, window frames, panelling, flooring etc; it is also used for furniture, cabinet work, turnery, carving, scientific instruments, boats (including bridge decking), oars, sleepers and veneer[, , , ]. Smaller branches are used for making barrel hoops[].
The wood is used for fuel and making charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - the hard seed needs scarifying by lightly abrading the seedcoat before sowing[]. Germination usually takes place in 5 - 20 days with up to 80% of the seed germinating[]. The seed can be sown in trays, transplanting the seedlings when they are about 3 weeks old to nursery beds[]. They are planted out into their permanent positions about 6 months later[].
The seed has a short viability under natural conditions; but dried to below 10% moisture it may be stored at 2°c for up to 10 years[].
Cuttings.

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