Cordia dentata aka White Cordia

Cordia dentata is a shrub or small tree. It belongs to the Boraginaceae family. Its native range runs from Mexico through Central America. It also grows in the Caribbean, Ecuador, and Venezuela as a native plant. It grows in tropical regions with a dry season. Wild plants grow on slopes and in thickets and mixed woods. They also grow in grasslands and pastures. Sites range from damp ground to sandy or rocky hills.

The listed garden height is about 33 feet [10 metres]. Larger plants can reach 49 feet [15 metres]. The trunk tends to be short and may bend or twist. Light brown bark breaks into scales as it ages. The tree keeps its leaves when it has enough water. A long drought can cause it to shed them. Its leaf cover can thus change during dry spells.

White or pale yellow flowers give off a sweet scent. Bees, butterflies, and other insects visit and pollinate the flowers. Gardeners grow the tree for both flowers and fruit. The oblong fruits reach about 0.05 feet [0.016 metres] long. Their pale flesh lets some light pass through. It feels thick and sticky. People eat the very sweet pulp raw. They also gather fruit from trees growing in the wild. The source lists no known hazards. It does not say whether the tree is safe for pets.

In gardens, it prefers moist loam that drains well. Its branches can form a screen or fill background space. Flowers add scent as well as colour to these plantings. Seeds can take a long time to sprout. A light rub on the seed coat helps water enter. This helps seeds sprout sooner. The supplied sources give no frost limits or bloom months. They name no specific pests or diseases for this tree.

The fruit pulp has uses beyond food, including glue for paper. People also use it to hold cigar wrappers together. The fruits help indigo dye clot during processing. The hard, strong, yellow wood serves for woodwork and fence posts. People also burn the wood as fuel. Folk remedies use flowers and leaves for chest ailments. Some aim to make people sweat or pass more urine. These records describe past uses, not proof of health benefits. The 2019 conservation assessment lists the species as Least Concern. Its wide range and large population support that rating.