Cordia sebestena var. caymanensis (Urb.) Proctor

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Vernacular

BROADLEAF

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree to 10 m tall, very rough-hispid throughout; leaves very broadly elliptic or ovate to rotund, up to 30 cm long (but often much less), shortly subacuminate at the apex, the margins subentire or often the apical third sharply serrate, the base truncate or broadly cuneate; petioles up to 4 cm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence corymbose; calyx tubular, 10–12 mm long, with short, broad, unequal lobes; corolla salver-shaped, the tube 1.5–2 cm long, the limb 2–3 cm across

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens included

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers heterostylous, the styles once-forked if included or twice-forked if exserted

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Ripe fruits white, acuminate, ca. 3 cm long.

Distribution

The endemic variety sebestena is widely distributed from Florida through the West Indies and along the eastern coasts of continental tropical America.

Ecology

In coastal thickets

Recognition

Var. caymanensis differs from var. sebestena in a suite of overlapping characters, including the (on average) larger, usually serrate leaves that are never cordate at the base, and in the smaller calyx and corolla.

Use

The rough, sandpaper-like leaves have traditionally been used to polish tortoise-shell. Var. sebestena is widely cultivated for ornament in tropical countries of both hemispheres.