Luis Bacher
Family
Boraginaceae
Botanical Name
CORDIA superba
Plant Common Name
Anacahuita, Brazilian Cordia
General Description
A very pretty flowering evergreen tree, the anacahuita or Brazilian cordia produces bright white flowers that contrast with its deep green foliage. When mature it stays small and develops a pleasing rounded canopy. This rainforest native of eastern Brazil may be easily confused with the more cold-hardy Texas olive (Cordia boissieri), which has similar white flowers with a few exceptions; Brazilian cordia's flowers are pure white and do not have brownish-yellow throats. After pollination by insects, small cherry-sized fruits appear. They have dirty ivory skins with a sticky texture.
The glossy deep green leaves of Brazilian cordia are long, elliptical and stiff. Depressed veins make each leaf look quilted. Tiny teeth or notches may appear on the leaf edges. Potentially blooming anytime of year, the snow white flowers are most prolific from late spring to early fall when temperatures are warmest. They are displayed in loose clusters on the branch tips. Each blossom is funnel-shaped with five crinkled lobes. The throat is white to palest yellow.
Grow the tropical Brazilian cordia in full sun to partial shade and fertile sandy soil with good drainage. This tree is heat and drought tolerant but needs summer moisture to perform best. It also prospers in oppressive humidity. Use it as a small specimen tree for the landscape or street side. The fruits attract hungry songbirds.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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USDA Hardiness Zone
10 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Tree
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m
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Width
10'-20' / 3.0m - 6.1m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Summer, Fall, Indeterminate
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Native To
Brazil
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White
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Fruit Color
Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Feature Plant, Foundation, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds
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Self-Sowing
No