Common Name: Geiger Tree

General Information

Cordia sebestena can be evergreen or deciduous depending on the climate. A small tree with a dense crown; usually growing up to 10 metres tall, though it can grow larger in cultivation[, , ]. The bole can be 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible fruit, which is eaten locally. The fruit also has medicinal uses and the timber is used locally. The plant is grown for its medicinal leaves in Cuba and is widely cultivated as an ornamental in the Old World Tropics, being valued especially for its large bright orange-red flowers[, ].
Cordia sebestena is a tree that has a large native distribution. It is also used in ornamental landscaping and as a street tree throughout the Neotropics. It is known to be quite common throughout its range and is subject to ex situ conservation through seeds and living collections. It is not known to be under any major threats or decline in population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

C. America - Panama, Honduras, Belize, Mexico; Caribbean - Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, to Florida.

Habitat

Dry districts on sandy soils, often occurring along sea coast at elevations up to 185 metres[]. Sandy thickets and on limestone rocks in arid coastal areas[]. Rich hummock soils in Florida[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Often found on dry and sandy soils in the wild, tolerating some salt in the soil[]. Resistant to salt-laden winds[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
A tough but slow-growing tree[].
Plants respond well to coppicing[].
Plants can flower all year round when in cultivation[, ].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , , ]. Considered edible by some[]. A pleasant fragrance, but a poor flavour[, ]. Somewhat fibrous and not particularly sweet[]. Very sweet but quite mucilaginous[, ]. The plum-like fruit is white when fully ripe and up to 4cm long[, ].

Medicinal

The fruit is emollient[]. It is used in the treatment of fevers[].

The leaves are emollient. They are used in the treatment of bronchitis, coughs, fevesr and influenza[].

The plant has been used as a remedy for intestinal and stomach complaints, and also for bronchial affections[].
A syrup prepared from the bark, flowers and fruit is a local remedy for affections of the chest[].

Other Uses

The large, 18cm long, stiff, dark green leaves are rough and hairy, feeling much like sandpaper[]. Several species in this genus have leaves that are used like sandpaper for polishing surfaces. It would be worth trying this species[].

The heart wood is dark brown; the thick band of sapwood is a light brown or yellow. The wood is close-grained, fine-textured with a satiny appearance, hard and heavy[]. It is used locally for cabinet work, carpentry and construction[, ].

Propagation

Seed - very slow to germinate, the process can be sped up if the seed is scarified by lightly abrading the seedcoat to allow easier ingress of water[].
Cuttings
Layering.

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