Cordia sebestena

Cordia sebestena is a shrubby tree in the family Cordiaceae, native to the American tropics. It ranges from southern Florida in the United States and the Bahamas, southwards throughout Central America and the Greater Antilles. The variety endemic to the Cayman Islands is a Vulnerable species. Common names have included siricote or kopté (Mayan) in 19th Century northern Yucatán, scarlet cordia in Jamaica, and Geiger tree in Florida.

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Cordia sebestena grows to a maximum height of 8–9 m (25–30 ft) at maturity, with a nearly equal spread. The crown is round to vase-shaped. Branches tend to be somewhat drooping, and the tree is naturally multitrunked. When only a single trunk is allowed to develop, it can attain a diameter of 30 cm (12 in). The dense, evergreen foliage consists of dark green, leathery, alternate, ovate leaves, 18 cm (7 in) long, with wavy margins. These leaves are covered with small hairs, lending them a rough, "sandpapery" texture. Flowers are produced in clusters at branch ends throughout the year, particularly in the spring and summer. Flowers are 5 cm (2 in) wide, red-orange in color, tubular, flaring (salverform) with 5–7 lobes, bearing 5–7 stamens of similar height. The species is heterostylous and presumably self-incompatible. Pear-shaped fruits follow the flowers, averaging 5 cm (2 in) in length. Fruits are fragrant and edible, but not flavorful.

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