Cordia myxa

Cordia myxa is a thornless, medium-sized and decidous tree growing up to 12-15 m high.

The bark of Cordia myxa is pale brown-coloured with vertical furrows.

The leaves of Cordia myxa grow alternately on the stem (spirally arranged).
The leaf is simple, dark green-coloured above and paler beneath. The leaf is coriaceous and glabrous on both sides (some minute hairs on the midrib beneath).
The leaves have a 2.5-3 cm long petiole.
The blade of the leaf of Cordia myxa is 8-12 cm long and 7-10 cm wide. The shape of the blade is ovate, the apex is acuminate, the base is cuneate and the margins are sinuate.
The venation of the leaf is reticulate with a prominent midrib.

The fruit of Cordia myxa is a subglobose drupe. It is about 1.5-2 cm in diameter, pinkish-coloured when ripe. The drupe is seated in a cup-shaped enlarged calyx. Each fruit contains 1 stone.

The seed of Cordia myxa is enclosed into an ellipsoid and compressed stone. This stone is light brown-coloured and contains 1 seed.

The wood of Cordia myxa is moderately hard. It is used for boat building, agricultural implements, posts, beams, furnitures and carving...

A fibre is obtained form the bark and used to make cordage and for caulking boats.

The leaves and fruits yield a dye.

The sticky, mucilaginous pulp of the fruit is used as a glue.

Sources :
- Dastur, 2006, Useful Plants of India and Pakistan
- Useful Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern, 2014 (http://tropical.theferns.info)

The ripe fruit of Cordia myxa is eaten raw or cooked. The unripe fruits are eaten as a vegetable or pickled.

The leaves and young shoots are used as a vegetable.

Source : Useful Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern, 2014 (http://tropical.theferns.info)