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(Cordia boissieri)
Anacahuita (Cordia boissieri)
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© Eridan Xharahi
CC BY 4.0
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© Eridan Xharahi
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CC BY 4.0
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Photo by: © Eridan Xharahi | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Uploader: eridanxharahi | Publisher: iNaturalist |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Cordia boissieri, commonly known as Anacahuita or Texas Wild Olive, is an evergreen tree or large shrub native to the Tamaulipan mezquital, a dry, shrub-dominated ecosystem in North-Central Mexico, South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley. It typically 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. Anacahuita has a dense, evergreen foliage that may suffer leaf drop in response to frost damage. Its white, funnel-shaped flowers are 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) across, blooming throughout the year, and are particularly showy, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Anacahuita is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its compact size, evergreen leaves, and the continuous presence of its fragrant, showy flowers. It produces yellow-green, olive-like drupes that are sweet but slightly toxic when fresh; however, processed fruits are used in jellies and syrups, which are safe to consume and have traditional medicinal uses. The tree is also appreciated for its relatively long lifespan of 30–50 years and its use in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. Anacahuita is suitable for urban planting, border planting, and as a specimen tree in gardens and parks within USDA Zone 9a and above. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, and while it is drought-tolerant, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.CC BY-SA 4.0
Anacahuita is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its compact size, evergreen leaves, and the continuous presence of its fragrant, showy flowers. It produces yellow-green, olive-like drupes that are sweet but slightly toxic when fresh; however, processed fruits are used in jellies and syrups, which are safe to consume and have traditional medicinal uses. The tree is also appreciated for its relatively long lifespan of 30–50 years and its use in xeriscaping due to its low water requirements. Anacahuita is suitable for urban planting, border planting, and as a specimen tree in gardens and parks within USDA Zone 9a and above. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, and while it is drought-tolerant, it benefits from occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 15-25 feet
- Width: 10-20 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Tamaulipan mezquital, a dry, shrub-dominated ecosystem in North-Central Mexico, South Texas, and the Rio Grande Valley
Other Names
Common Names: Mexican Olive, White Cordia, Texas Wild Olive, Anacahuite, Ancahuita
Scientific Names: , Cordia boissieri, Lithocardium boissieri,
GBIF Accepted Name: Cordia boissieri A.DC.