Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Cordia myxa L.

Tender deciduous tree with broad, ovate leaves, to 12cm long, and large clusters of white flowers followed by mucilagenous, tan-coloured fruits, once used in medicine.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

This may be the ‘oriental’ plant referred to in Curtis’s Botanical Magazine in its report of Cordia sebestina L.: ‘It is not improbable but that more than one species have been included in the above synonyms, but we have not been able to distinguish them.  The oriental plant, which is likewise an inhabitant of the South-Sea Islands, is every where described as having yellow flowers and smoother leaves, while that of the West-Indies, like ours, is always spoken of as having scarlet flowers.’  [BM t.794/1804].

History at Camden Park

Probably short lived in the gardens as it is only listed in the 1850 catalogue.

Notes

A more probable identification is Cordia sebestena L. which see.

Cordia sebestena G.Forst. (1786) = Cordia subcordata Lam.

Cordia sebestena Willd. ex Spreng. (1824) = Cordia dillenii Spreng.

Cordia sebestena Andr. (1801) = Cordia scabra Desf.

Published Mar 10, 2009 - 05:25 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 01:24 PM

Family Boraginaceae
Category
Region of origin

India to Australia

Synonyms
  • Cordia sebestena Forssk.

Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Cordia sebestena 

Confidence level low