Cordia glabrata
(Mart.) A.DC.
Boraginaceae
Cordia longipeda Mez
Gerascanthus glabratus Mart.
Gerascanthus longipedus (Mez) Borhidi
Lithocardium glabratum Kuntze
Lithocardium longipedum Kuntze
Common Name:
Flowering tree
Photograph by: João Medeiros
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Flowering tree
Photograph by: João Medeiros
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
Close-up of flowers
Photograph by: João Medeiros
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
General Information
Cordia glabrata is a deciduous tree with a roundish crown; it can grow 8 - 10 metres tall[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. The bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The tree is extremely ornamental when in bloom, with a display of white flowers that can last for weeks[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1903- Title
- A Revision of Cordia Section Gerascanthus (Boraginales; Cordiaceae)
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 7(1); 55 - 83. 2013
- Author
- Miller J.S.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Paraguay, eastern, central and northern Brazil, Bolivia.
Habitat
Semi-deciduous, dry forests, cerrado and calcareous outcroppings; at elevations up to 500 metres[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 9.00 m |
| Pollinators | Bees, Humming birds |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Prefers a sunny position[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Established plants are drought tolerant[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Young plants grow away moderately well and can be 3 metres tall after 2 years[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
The branches often have hollow sections that are inhabited by ants[
1903- Title
- A Revision of Cordia Section Gerascanthus (Boraginales; Cordiaceae)
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 7(1); 55 - 83. 2013
- Author
- Miller J.S.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Edible Uses
The brown, ovoid fruit is around 8 - 10mm long and 5 - 6mm wide[
1903- Title
- A Revision of Cordia Section Gerascanthus (Boraginales; Cordiaceae)
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 7(1); 55 - 83. 2013
- Author
- Miller J.S.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
]. (though some are known to cause gastric disturbances). This species, however, belongs to a section of the genus where the mesocarp is fibrous rather than fleshy[
1903- Title
- A Revision of Cordia Section Gerascanthus (Boraginales; Cordiaceae)
- Publication
- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 7(1); 55 - 83. 2013
- Author
- Miller J.S.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The wood is moderately heavy, of medium durability in adverse conditions, soft to cut[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It is quite decorative and can be used in furniture making[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Propagation
Seed - it has a short viability and so should be sown as soon as possible. Sow the whole fruit since it is almost impossible to separate the seed. Sow in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are normally low, with the seed sprouting in 30 - 70 days. Transplant the seedlings into individual containers when they are 4 - 6cm tall and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 6 months later[
419- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-17-8
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
