Cordia salviifolia

Cordia salviifolia, a member of the family Boraginaceae, is a beautiful ornamental shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 9-12 feet tall. Its distribution is the Caribbean, and its habitat is a dry forest on calcareous rock, which makes it a perfect specimen for South Florida with our limestone substrate. On its spread-out branches are scabrous leaves which are covered with single-celled hairs containing silica crystals, making them feel sandpapery. Small, orange funnel-shaped flowers attract nectar feeding birds and insects. Prefers full sun to light shade and moist, well-draining alkaline soil. (Pot size: 1 gallon)