172.71.178.167 at 11:59, 7 October 2022

2022-10-07T11:59:37Z

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{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Cordia subcordata, seeds, flower, leaves.jpg
|image_caption = Flower, fruit
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Oldfield, S. |date=2019 |title=''Cordia subcordata'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T33199A67739216 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-2.RLTS.T33199A67739216.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
|genus = Cordia
|species = subcordata
|authority = [[Jean-Baptiste Lamarck|Lam.]]<ref name="GRIN">{{GRIN | accessdate=2010-03-02}}</ref>
}}

'''''Cordia subcordata''''' is a species of [[Flowering plant|flowering]] [[tree]] in the [[borage]] family, [[Boraginaceae]], that occurs in eastern [[Africa]], [[South Asia]], [[Southeast Asia]], northern [[Australia]] and the [[Pacific Islands]] (including [[Hawaii]]).<ref name="GRIN" /> The plant is known by a variety of names including '''beach cordia''', '''sea trumpet''', and '''kerosene wood''', among others.

==Names==
Other names for the species include ''kanawa'', ''tou'', ''kou'', ''mareer'', ''manjak'', snottygobbles, glueberry, narrow-leafed bird lime tree, In Java and Madura, it is known as ''kalimasada'', ''purnamasada'', or ''pramasada''; Javanese folklore consider the tree to contain spiritual power.<ref>{{cite book |author=Bosbouwproefstation |date=1936 |title=Korte mededeelingen - Cordia Subcordata |issue=55–60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyhJAAAAYAAJ&q=cordia+subcordata+kalimasada |publisher=Cornell University |page=107 |access-date=30 May 2015 |archive-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731052201/https://books.google.com/books?id=vyhJAAAAYAAJ&q=cordia+subcordata+kalimasada |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[Marshall Islands]] it is known as ''kono''.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 October 2008|title=Native plants of the Marshalls|url=http://biormi.org/index.shtml?en/native_plants.shtml|url-status=live|access-date=7 September 2019|website=Republic of the Marshall Islands Biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism|publisher=RMI Office of Environmental Planning and Policy Coordination|archive-date=19 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619131813/http://biormi.org/index.shtml?en%2Fnative_plants.shtml}}</ref>

== Distribution ==
This species has a very wide range from the east coast of [[Africa]] west throughout tropical [[Asia]] and [[Oceania]], as far west as [[Hawaii]]. This distribution was achieved due to special characteristics of its fruit allowing for successful [[oceanic dispersal]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Jayasuriya |first=A. H. Magdon |last2=Gunatilleke |first2=I. A. U. Nimal |date=2015-09-18 |title=A refugium for Cordia subcordata (Boraginaceae), a very rare and endangered plant in Sri Lanka and strategies for its conservation |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/cjsbs.v44i1.7343 |journal=Ceylon Journal of Science (Biological Sciences) |volume=44 |issue=1 |pages=67 |doi=10.4038/cjsbs.v44i1.7343 |issn=0069-2379}}</ref> Prior to 2001, ''C. subcordata'' was considered to be a [[Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia|Polynesian introduction]] to Hawaii by many authorities, but [[subfossil]] evidence from [[Makauwahi Cave]] in [[Kauai]] indicates that it was an abundant species in Hawaiian lowland forests well before humans arrived, confirming its status as an indigenous species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Burney |first=David A. |last2=James |first2=Helen F. |last3=Burney |first3=Lida Pigott |last4=Olson |first4=Storrs L. |last5=Kikuchi |first5=William |last6=Wagner |first6=Warren L. |last7=Burney |first7=Mara |last8=McCloskey |first8=Deirdre |last9=Kikuchi |first9=Delores |last10=Grady |first10=Frederick V. |last11=Gage |first11=Reginald |date=November 2001 |title=FOSSIL EVIDENCE FOR A DIVERSE BIOTA FROM KAUA‘I AND ITS TRANSFORMATION SINCE HUMAN ARRIVAL |url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1890/0012-9615(2001)071[0615:FEFADB]2.0.CO;2 |journal=Ecological Monographs |language=en |volume=71 |issue=4 |pages=615–641 |doi=10.1890/0012-9615(2001)071[0615:FEFADB]2.0.CO;2 |issn=0012-9615}}</ref>

==Description==
''C. subcordata'' grows to {{convert|7|-|10|m|ft|abbr=on}} at maturity, but may be as tall as {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It has ovate leaves that are {{convert|8|-|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} and {{convert|5|-|13|cm|in|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name="TradTree">{{cite journal|last=Friday|first=J. B.|author2=Dana Okano|date=April 2006|title=Cordia subcordata (kou)|url=http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/Cordia-kou.pdf|journal=Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry|publisher=The Traditional Tree Initiative|access-date=2009-02-21|archive-date=16 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116112354/http://www.agroforestry.net/tti/Cordia-kou.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Flowers===
The tubular [[flower]]s of ''C. subcordata'' are {{convert|2.5|-|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter and form [[Inflorescence#Organization|cymes]] or [[panicle]]s.<ref name="TradTree" /> [[Petal]]s are orange and the [[sepal]]s are pale green. Blooming occurs throughout the year, but most flowers are produced in the spring.<ref name="RNGR" />

===Fruit===
''C. subcordata'' produces brown [[fruit]] year round. They are spherical, {{convert|2|-|3|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, and woody when mature. Each fruit contains four or fewer [[seed]]s that are {{convert|10|-|13|mm|in|abbr=on}} long. The fruit are [[Buoyancy|buoyant]] and may be [[Drift seed|carried long distances]] by [[ocean current]]s.<ref name="TradTree" />

===Habitat===
''C. subcordata'' is a tree of the [[coast]]s, found at elevations from sea level to {{convert|30|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but may grow at up to {{convert|150|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It grows in areas that receive {{convert|1000|-|4000|mm|in|abbr=on}} of annual rainfall. ''C. subcordata'' prefers neutral to [[alkali]]ne [[soil]]s ([[Soil pH|pH]] of 6.1 to 7.4), such as those originating from [[basalt]], [[limestone]], [[clay]], or [[sand]]. Allowable [[soil texture]]s include sand, sandy [[loam]], loam, sandy clay loam, sandy clay, clay loam, and clay.<ref name="TradTree" />

==Uses==
The [[seed]]s are edible and have been [[Famine food|eaten]] during [[famine]]. ''C. subcordata'' burns readily, and this led to the nickname of "Kerosene Tree" in [[Papua New Guinea]].<ref name="TradTree" /> The wood of the tree has a [[specific gravity]] of 0.45, is soft, durable, easily worked,<ref name=RNGR>{{cite web|url=http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/Folder.2003-07-11.4726/PDF.2004-01-12.0613/file |format=PDF |first=James A. |last=Allen |title=''Cordia subcordata'' Lam. |work=Tropical Tree Seed Manual |publisher=Reforestation, Nurseries & Genetics Resources |date=2003-01-01 |access-date=2009-02-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116124108/http://www.rngr.net/Publications/ttsm/Folder.2003-07-11.4726/PDF.2004-01-12.0613/file |archive-date=16 January 2009 }}</ref> and resistant to [[termite]]s. In [[Ancient Hawaii|ancient Hawai{{okina}}i]] ''kou'' wood was used to make ''{{okina}}umeke'' (bowls), utensils, and ''{{okina}}umeke lā{{okina}}au'' (large calabashes) because it did not impart a foul taste to food. ''{{okina}}Umeke lā{{okina}}au'' were 8–16 litres (2–4 gal) and used to store and [[Fermentation (food)|ferment]] ''[[Poi (food)|poi]]''. The [[flower]]s were used to make ''[[Lei (Hawaii)|lei]]'', while a [[dye]] for ''[[kapa]]'' cloth and ''aho'' ([[fishing line]]s) was derived from the [[Leaf|leaves]].<ref name="TradTree" />

In the western [[Solomon Islands]], in [[Vanuatu]], on [[Waya Island]], and in [[Tonga]], it is used for carving. On [[New Ireland (island)|New Ireland]], its wood is always used for the ceremonial entrances to men's houses.<ref name="Ross-Plants">Pawley, Andrew; Osmond, Meredith (eds). 2008. [http://hdl.handle.net/1885/106908 ''The lexicon of Proto Oceanic: The culture and environment of ancestral Oceanic society''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731052149/https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/106908 |date=31 July 2021 }}. Volume 3: [https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/106908/7/RossPawleyOsmond-ProtoOceanicLexicon-Vol3-Plants.pdf Plants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204014538/https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/106908/7/RossPawleyOsmond-ProtoOceanicLexicon-Vol3-Plants.pdf |date=4 February 2019 }}. Pacific Linguistics 599. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, Australian National University.</ref>

== Threats ==
Despite its very wide distribution, this species faces threats in parts of its range. During the mid-late 19th century, herbivory by the kou moth (''[[Ethmia nigroapicella]]'') nearly [[Local extinction|extirpated]] this species on the [[Hawaiian Islands]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Swezey |first=OH |date=1944 |title=The Kou Moth, Ethmia colonella Walsm., in Hawaii |url=https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10125/16096/1/PHES12_133-135.pdf |journal=Hawaiian Entomological Society}}</ref> It is thought to be highly endangered in [[Sri Lanka]], only persisting at a small number of sites that are under pressure from development.<ref name=":0" /> Logging of mature trees to create carvings for the tourism industry is also thought to be a threat throughout much of [[Papuasia]]. In addition, it may potentially be threatened by storms and [[sea level rise]].<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

==See also==
*[[Domesticated plants and animals of Austronesia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|Cordia subcordata|''Cordia subcordata''}}
{{Wikispecies-inline}}
* {{FloraBase}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q675926}}

[[Category:Cordia|subcordata]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1792]]
[[Category:Asterids of Australia]]
[[Category:Eudicots of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of Ashmore and Cartier Islands]]
[[Category:Flora of the Coral Sea Islands Territory]]
[[Category:Flora of Kenya]]
[[Category:Flora of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Flora of Mozambique]]
[[Category:Flora of the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Flora of Queensland]]
[[Category:Flora of Somalia]]
[[Category:Flora of Tanzania]]
[[Category:National Symbols Of the Independent Republic of Chagossia Nation-Island State]]
[[Category:Flora of tropical Asia]]
[[Category:Least concern flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Least concern biota of Queensland]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
[[Category:Trees of the Pacific]]
[[Category:Flora of Tonga]]

Cordia subcordata - Revision history

172.71.178.167 at 11:59, 7 October 2022