Ehretia cymosa, commonly known as the African Borage, is a small deciduous tree native to a variety of habitats including coastal forests, riverine woodlands, and savannas across western, central, and eastern Africa, including Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, Comoros, Madagascar, Mascarenes, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It typically grows to a height of 10-15 meters with a spread of 5-10 meters. The tree features a rounded crown with simple, ovate leaves and small, fragrant white flowers that bloom in clusters, followed by orange to red berries that attract wildlife.

Ehretia cymosa is valued for its hardiness and adaptability, making it suitable for reforestation projects and as a shade tree in rural and urban landscapes. It thrives in full sun to part shade and prefers well-drained soils, tolerating a range of soil types. The tree is drought-tolerant once established, which is beneficial for gardeners in arid regions. In traditional medicine, the leaves and roots are used to treat various ailments, reflecting its cultural significance. However, gardeners should be aware that Ehretia cymosa has no notable cultivars and can be susceptible to pests like borers and caterpillars.CC BY-SA 4.0