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Anacahuita

Cordia boissieri

Other common name(s):

Mexican Olive, Texas Wild Olive

Family:

Boraginaceae (Borage Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley
Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

12
to
15
ft.

Spread

12
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Birds, Small Mammals

Maintenance

Prefers full sun. Is drought tolerant. Needs regular watering to get established. Plant seed fresh or double-stratify. Take softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer. Collect seed when it becomes muted yellow-white or pale brown with interior seed plump and hard. Clean and air dry before storage in cool, dry location. Propagation: Seed, semi-hardwood cuttings, softwood cuttings.

Comments

Blooms January-December. Ornamental small tree with a narrow rounded crown & short trunk. Soft, large, furry textured leaves. The trumpet shaped flowers are large and showy, white with yellow throats. Cold-sensitive, but fast-growing. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant. Is used for highway plantings. Fruit can be messy so plant away from walkways. Nectar for insects, fruit for birds & small mammals, deer and cattle.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=COBO2. 3) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=5082&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 4) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt. 5) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014.

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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