Cordia boissieri

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Asterids
Cladus: Lamiids
Ordo: Boraginales

Familia: Boraginaceae
Subfamilia: Cordioideae
Genus: Cordia
Species: Cordia boissieri
Name

Cordia boissieri A.DC., Prodr. [A. P. de Candolle] 9: 478 (1845)

Typus: J.A. Pavón y Jiménez s.n. (MEXICO; G [​G00176860 (113687/2)(Field Mus. (Neg. No. 34095), GBIF, JSTOR, Tropicos), Herb. Boissier]; Isotypus: G-DC [​G00146512 (113687/1)(GBIF)]).
Note: Tropicos treats G specimen with 'F-034095' as holotype and 'G-176860' as isotype.

Synonyms

Homotypic
Lithocardium boissieri (A.DC.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 976 (1891)

Distribution
Native distribution areas:
Cordia boissieri

Northern America
South-Central U.S.A.
Texas.
Mexico
Mexico Central (Morelos), Mexico Northeast (Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas), Mexico Gulf (Veracruz), Mexico Northwest (Sinaloa), Mexico Southwest (Guerrero).

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

De Candolle, A.P. (†) 1845. Ordo CXXXIX. Borragineae. Pp. 466–559, 565–566 in De Candolle, A. (ed.), Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis, sive enumeratio contracta ordinum, generum, specierumque plantarum huc usque cognitarum, juxta methodi naturalis normas digesta, Pars 9, Sistens Corolliflorarum ordines IX. Sumptibus Fortin, Masson et Sociorum, Parisiis [Paris]. BHL Biblioteca Digital Reference page.

Additional references

Kuntze, O. 1891. Revisio generum plantarum vascularium omnium atque cellularium multarum secundum leges nomenclaturae internationales cum enumeratione plantarum exoticarum in itinere mundi collectarum. Pars II. Pp. 377–1011. Arthur Felix, Leipzig [etc.]. BHL Reference page.
Villaseñor, J.L. 2016. Checklist of the native vascular plants of Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 87: 559–902. DOI: 10.1016/j.rmb.2016.06.017 Online PDF Reference page. [see page 706]

Links

Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) & IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group, 2019. Cordia boissieri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019. IUCN Red List Category: Least Concern . DOI: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T144117382A149037153.en.
Global Biodiversity Information Facility. 2024. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset. Taxon: Cordia boissieri. Accessed: 2024 September 17.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2024. Cordia boissieri in Kew Science Plants of the World Online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2024 September 17. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2024. Cordia boissieri. World Plants: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World In: Roskovh, Y., Abucay, L., Orrell, T., Nicolson, D., Bailly, N., Kirk, P., Bourgoin, T., DeWalt, R.E., Decock, W., De Wever, A., Nieukerken, E. van, Zarucchi, J. & Penev, L., eds. 2024. Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life. Published online. Accessed: 2024 September 17. Reference page.
Hassler, M. 2024. World Plants. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of the World Flora. . Cordia boissieri. Accessed: 17 September 2024.
International Plant Names Index. 2024. Cordia boissieri. Published online. Accessed: 17 September 2024. Reference page.
Tropicos.org 2024. Cordia boissieri. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 17 September 2024.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Cordia boissieri in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
English: Mexican-olive
español: An(a)cahuita

Cordia boissieri is a white-flowered, evergreen shrub or small tree in the borage family (Boraginaceae). Its native range extends from southern Texas in the United States south to central Mexico. Common names include anacahuita, Mexican olive,[1] white cordia, and Texas wild olive.[2] It is named after the Swiss explorer and botanist Pierre Edmond Boissier.
Description
Wild Olive (Cordia boissieri), FM 1017, Jim Hogg County, Texas, USA (10 April 2016)

Cordia boissieri reaches a height of 5–7 m (16–23 ft), with a symmetrical round crown 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) in diameter. The ovate leaves are 9–18 cm (3.5–7.1 in) long and 5–9 cm (2.0–3.5 in) wide.[3] It is evergreen but will lose leaves if it suffers frost damage[4] The white, funnel-shaped flowers are 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) across[3] and are present on the tree throughout the year.[5] The drupes[6] are yellow-green, olive-like, and 1.2–2.4 cm (0.47–0.94 in) in length. They are sweet but slightly toxic when fresh, causing dizziness in humans and other animals.[3] The tree has a lifespan of 30–50 years.[7]
Uses

Jellies made from the fruits are reportedly safe to eat. A syrup made from the fruits is used to dye cloth and treat coughs. The leaves are used to alleviate rheumatism and pulmonary illness. The wood is used as firewood and for carpentry.[3] Anacahuita is cultivated as an ornamental for its compact size and showy flowers. It is hardy to USDA Zone 9a.[8]
Ecology

Cordia boissieri is a host plant for the wild olive tortoise beetle (Physonota alutacea).[9]
Symbolism

Anacahuita is the official flower of the state of Nuevo León in Mexico.[4]
References

"Cordia boissieri". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
Llamas, Kirsten Albrecht (2003). Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-88192-585-2.
Lara, Teresa Rojas; Robert E. Paull (2008). Jules Janick; Robert E. Paull (eds.). The Encyclopedia of Fruit & Nuts. CABI. p. 187. ISBN 978-0-85199-638-7.
Mild, Christina (2003). "Cordia boissieri" (PDF). Rio Delta Wild. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
"Cordia boissieri A. DC". Native Plant Information Network. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
"Wild Olive, Mexican Olive, Anacahuita Cordia boissieri". Texas Native Trees. Texas A&M University. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
"A Guide to Growing Healthy Trees in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas" (PDF). Valley Proud Environmental Council. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-28. Retrieved 2009-12-09.
Gilman and, Edward F.; Dennis G. Watson. "Cordia boissieri: Wild-Olive". Electronic Data Information System. University of Florida IFAS Extension. Retrieved 2010-04-04.
Quinn, Mike. "Wild Olive Tortoise Beetle Physonota alutacea Boheman, 1854". Texas Beetle Information. Texas Entomology. Retrieved 2010-04-04.