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 sebestena L.

Frost tender. evergreen shrub or tree with entire, ovate leaves, to 20cm long and 12-45 flowered cymes of funnel-shaped orange-yellow flowers.  To 10m.  The wood is highly perfumed when burnt.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘It is propagated by cuttings with difficulty, but, if care was taken to procure seeds from abroad, there would, according to Jacquin, be no difficulty on obtaining this very ornamental shrub.’  [BM t.794/1804].  Probably first cultivated in Britain in 1728 by Dr. Sherard.  [ABR pl. 157/1801].  Don.

History at Camden Park

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

Notes

Another possible identification is Cordia myxa L., synonym Cordia sebestena Forssk., which see.

Published Mar 10, 2009 - 05:13 PM | Last updated Mar 05, 2010 - 01:14 PM

Illustrated are the ovate leaves and funnel-shaped orange-yellow flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.794, 1804.

Cordia sebestena L. | BM t.794/1804 | BHL

Family Boraginaceae
Category
Region of origin

Caribbean and South America

Synonyms
Common Name

Geiger tree

Name in the Camden Park Record

Cordia sebestena 

Confidence level medium