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Cordia subcordata

Lam. (1792)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Boraginales Family: Cordiaceae Genus: Cordia

kou

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Small, erect trees; shoots readily produced from extensive shallow roots, sometimes forming thickets.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades broadly ovate to elliptic, blades 10–20 cm long, 8–16 cm wide. Apex acuminate. Base subcordate to rounded or acute. Surfaces tomentose along the main veins on the lower surface, otherwise glabrous; blades, thin, coriaceous. Margins entire to undulate. Petioles 4–12 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in open cymes. Flowers bisexual (perfect) or staminate. Calyx 5–10-lobed, usually persistent; pale green, glossy, ca. 1 cm long, the lobes ciliate. Corolla orange, 5–7-lobed, the tube darker than the lobes, 2.3–3 cm long, the lobes wrinkled, 3–4.5 cm long. Stamens as many as corolla lobes. Ovary superior, 4-celled; ovules 1 per cell, sometimes fewer by abortion; style terminal; stigma 4-lobed.

Fruit: Fruit drupaceous; unlobed; green when young; becoming brown and dry at maturity; subglobose to broadly ovoid; sometimes slightly asymmetrical; 2–3 cm long; 1.8–2.5 cm in diameter; surrounded by the enlarged persistent calyx; exocarp fleshy or dry. Seeds 4; white; usually 1–1.3 cm long.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Sparingly naturalized in low elevation; dry; coastal areas.

Elevation Range: 100–125 m

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Soft but durable wood made into bowls (‘umeke) & utensils, does not give off flavor (Krauss 1993:22), special ‘umeke mana ‘ai for first–born children made sometimes of kou that had been planted over afterbirths of grandparents (Krauss 1993:23); leaves for dye (Krauss 1993:65). Planted as shade trees near homes and the flowers used for lei (Handy et al. 1972:232), seeds eaten (Wagner et al. 1990:394).

  • Warm brown dye (senescent leaves)

Ethnobotanical Images

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Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents

Water/Ocean

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Tabl. Encycl.: n.º 1899 (1792)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:392 (Ni, K, O, L, M, H); Burney et al. 2001:633/Wagner & Herbst 2003:12 (status change to ind); Staples & Herbst 2005:197 (KEY), 198 (DESCR); Oppenheimer 2007:21 (Mo)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Cordia subcordata Barbers Point Preserved_Specimen Ozaki, E.T. 1478 Oahu BISH 1955-04-17
2 Cordia subcordata Kalihi Valley, Bishop Estate Nursery Preserved_Specimen Judd Jr., A.F. 130 Oahu BISH 1928-09-25
3 Cordia subcordata Bishop Museum; Polynesian Garden Preserved_Specimen Aradanas, C. 1 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
4 Cordia subcordata Maui Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 408 Maui BISH 1851-01-01
5 Cordia subcordata Lanai Preserved_Specimen Kapoho Lanai BISH 1917-05-25
6 Cordia subcordata 4 seedlings collected on BPBM grounds Preserved_Specimen Bishop, B. Oahu BISH
7 Cordia subcordata Coral Flats Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Oahu BISH 1957-01-05
8 Cordia subcordata Coral Flats Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Oahu BISH 1957-02-24
9 Cordia subcordata Honolulu, Manoa valley Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Oahu BISH 1947-08-10
10 Cordia subcordata Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Brigham, W.T. Oahu BISH 1909-01-01
11 Cordia subcordata Oahu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH 1910-04-01
12 Cordia subcordata Maui Preserved_Specimen Maehler, K.L. Maui BISH 1950-12-06
13 Cordia subcordata Kapoho Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Lanai BISH 1914-05-25
14 Cordia subcordata Lanai Preserved_Specimen Maneli Lanai BISH 1913-08-01
15 Cordia subcordata Lanai Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Lanai BISH 1913-06-01
16 Cordia subcordata Kailua, Oahu; from the year of Mr. J. Stokes Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1940-04-04
17 Cordia subcordata Coral Flats Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Oahu BISH 1956-10-26
18 Cordia subcordata honolulu, cultivated along the road Preserved_Specimen Oahu BISH
19 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 350 BISH 1864-01-01
20 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Borraq BISH 1985-01-01
21 Cordia subcordata Lanai Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Lanai BISH
22 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
23 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
24 Cordia subcordata South Kona, Okoe, near sea On beach with coconut palms Preserved_Specimen Tree 6 to 7 meters high, orange flowers. Bryan Jr., E.H. Hawaii BISH 1932-11-25
25 Cordia subcordata East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Kahanu Garden Cultivated area around Pi'ilanihale. Heiau is remnant Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Leaves dark green above, paler below with whitish veins. Stems with white lenticels. Corolla dark orange. Cultivated. Flynn, T.W. Maui BISH 1987-10-20
26 Cordia subcordata Pohakupili Gulch, near N side of stream In ungrazed Panicum/Leucaena pasture. Preserved_Specimen Small population of 2m tall trees. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120618 Molokai BISH 2006-12-08
27 Cordia subcordata Kaalualu Bay near South Point Along east shore area. Preserved_Specimen Tree about 3 meters high. Flowers orange. Whistler, W.A. Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
28 Cordia subcordata Koloa District. National Tropical Botanical Garden Headquarters at 3530 Papalina Road, Kalaheo. Cultivated. Preserved_Specimen Tree 5 m tall, 25 cm dbh, bark gray, scaly toward base. Leaves light green. Flowers with orange, crepe-like corolla, not fragrant. Ripe fruits grown enclosed by acrescent calyx, Seeds germinating in ground, each with up to 3 seedlings. Cut parts with strong odor. Lorence, D.H. 10745 Kauai BISH 2018-05-08
29 Cordia subcordata Along coastal and inland trail in Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park Predominantly exotic vegetation. Area highly modified by ancient Polynesians Preserved_Specimen Flowers orange. Higashino, P.K. 10215 Hawaii BISH 1984-04-07
30 Cordia subcordata Honolulu: Kalihi Valley, Boshop Estate Nursery lowlands Preserved_Specimen Tree; Height: 4-7 m; Flower: orange; Fruit: yellow- green Judd Jr., A.F. 130 Oahu BISH 1928-09-25
31 Cordia subcordata Bishop Museum Tree on corner of car parking at top of drive. Preserved_Specimen Pham, L. 1 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
32 Cordia subcordata Honolulu: Kalihi District, Bernice P.Bishop Museum Found at Bishop Museum grounds. Border of the road to car parking. Preserved_Specimen Smooth leaf Nunies, K. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
33 Cordia subcordata Honolulu: Kamanele Park Cultivated Preserved_Specimen Tree spreading, 4 m. tall. Fls bright orange, petioles longer than described in Neal book Fosberg, F.R. 10535 Oahu BISH 1933-01-01
34 Cordia subcordata Plants growing along coastal area between Milokii and Kanpo Point. Ahpuaa of Honomalina and Kapua Okoe Bay Coastal area Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 10140 Hawaii BISH 1983-12-17
35 Cordia subcordata Kapapa Islet, Kaneohe Bay Raised coral reef with shallow, sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6113 Oahu BISH 1978-05-24
36 Cordia subcordata Kekaha, Hawaii National Guard Rifle Range, between PMRF South gate and the drag race strip, near the only structures in the range area. Aalii mixed shrubland zone mixed with kiawe and koa haole. W/ Cordia subcordata with a large patch of Plumbago zeylanica growing below in an Aalii shrubland w/ Cenchrus, Scaevola, Sida fallax, Waltheria, Leuca... Preserved_Specimen Tree about 13 ft tall and about half of the branches are dead, but flowering and seeding. There are thousands of seeds below the tree and about 50 germinating. Seed shape very round with fine point at apex. Flowers light orange and leaves light green. N. Tangalin 5119 kauai BISH 2021-12-28
37 Cordia subcordata Honolulu, Makiki Hts. Drive dry streamside; with Coccinia grandis, Cissus sicyoides, Ipomoea alba Preserved_Specimen to 10 m tree; flowers light orange Ray, G. 20 Oahu BISH 1997-06-04
38 Cordia subcordata Honolulu: Manoa, Kamanele Park cultivated Preserved_Specimen small spreading tree, 5 m. tall, flowers orange. Fosberg, F.R. 10810 Oahu BISH 1935-02-16
39 Cordia subcordata Manele Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Lanai BISH 1927-05-29
40 Cordia subcordata Pohakupili Gulch, near N side of stream In ungrazed Panicum/Leucaena pasture. Preserved_Specimen Small population of 2m tall trees. Oppenheimer, H.L. 120618 Molokai BISH 2006-12-08
41 Cordia subcordata East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, PTBG Garden Cultivated area area Pi'ilanihale. Heiau in remnant Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Tree of 15 Feet. Leaves dark green above, paler below with whitish veins. Stems with white lenticels. Corolla dark orange. Cultivated. Flynn, T.W. Maui BISH 1987-10-20
42 Cordia subcordata Oahu Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree 2.5m tall growing in full sun. corolla orange. Flower not fragrant (afternoon) Lau, J. 1051 Oahu BISH 1985-06-05
43 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf? (fragment) Woodcock, D. 28 Oahu BISH
44 Cordia subcordata Bernice P. Bishop Museum, tree on corner of car park at top of drive Preserved_Specimen Smooth leaves; orange flowers. Canosa, R. 1 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
45 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf showing discoloration near midvein/some indication of hairs?, A and B - best (Diospyros leaf on back) Woodcock, D. 2 Oahu BISH
46 Cordia subcordata Kaelepulu, Koolau Preserved_Specimen Flower: orange-red Judd Jr., A.F. 51 Oahu BISH 1926-06-03
47 Cordia subcordata Honolulu: Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Multi-trunked tree 2.5 m. tall growing in full sun. Corolla orange. Flower not fragrant (afternoon). Lau, J. 1051 Oahu BISH 1985-06-05
48 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 60 Oahu BISH
49 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf. Woodcock, D. 340 Oahu BISH
50 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf? (fragment) Woodcock, D. 727 Oahu BISH
51 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 215 Oahu BISH
52 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf? (fragment) Woodcock, D. 308 Oahu BISH
53 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 314 Oahu BISH
54 Cordia subcordata Sand islaet at inner north-west corner of trianble formed by seaplane runways, Keehi Lagoon Preserved_Specimen Occasional seedlings Herbst, D.R. 1955 Oahu BISH 1971-06-13
55 Cordia subcordata Oahu Preserved_Specimen tree with dense crown,light-colored, flaky bark, orange flowers. green fruit. Cultivated no. 163 on map to campasstrees and plants, Manoa Campass Herbst, D.R. 567 Oahu BISH 1967-09-05
56 Cordia subcordata Kaumuhonu Valley,mouth of dry flat, with Prosopis Preserved_Specimen Tree 8m.x3dm. fl.orange St.John, H. 23630 Niihau BISH 1949-01-04
57 Cordia subcordata Bishop Museum grounds. Border of the road to car parking Preserved_Specimen Smooth leaf. Nunies, K. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-02-08
58 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 209 Oahu BISH
59 Cordia subcordata Bernice P. Bishop Museum, border of the road to car parking Preserved_Specimen Smooth leaf . Nunies, K. 4 Oahu BISH 1993-03-08
60 Cordia subcordata cult. in hedge by house Preserved_Specimen tree 5m. x 8cm. St.John, H. 22789 Niihau BISH 1947-09-08
61 Cordia subcordata Wilcox estate Preserved_Specimen 10 m tree MacDaniels, L.H. 903 Kauai BISH 1927-02-25
62 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf? (fragment) Woodcock, D. 183 Oahu BISH
63 Cordia subcordata Honolulu County: Waimea Arboretum Preserved_Specimen Tree 7 m tall; corollas orange; fruits green Miller, J.S. 7530 Oahu BISH 1992-07-31
64 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf, apex, A and B Woodcock, D. 10 Oahu BISH
65 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 207 Oahu BISH
66 Cordia subcordata Fort Shafter Mudflow Preserved_Specimen Cordia subcordata leaf Woodcock, D. 213 Oahu BISH
67 Cordia subcordata Mahana, Lae Wahie, on rocks near beach, Preserved_Specimen Sprouts from old tree St.John, H. Lanai BISH 1938-04-13
68 Cordia subcordata Highway 44, along, past Keomuku settlement Preserved_Specimen Large tree 10 meters tall; dbh 12; growing along road near Kiawi thickets and beach. Leaves ovate, on petioles to 6cm. long. Flowers orange, calyx 3 to 5 tooth, corolla 5 to 7 lobed. Spence, G. Lanai BISH 1973-10-23
69 Cordia subcordata Henry Baldwin Park (Beach), Kahului Preserved_Specimen Tree 25 ft., 8 inch diameter, planted Little Jr., E.L. Maui BISH 1976-08-27
70 Cordia subcordata Toward Ka Lae o Ka Ilio Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 619 Molokai BISH 1915-03-25
71 Cordia subcordata Grounds of Bernice P.Bishop Museum, next to staff parking lot Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5224 Oahu BISH 1983-12-29
72 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
73 Cordia subcordata unknown Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. BISH
74 Cordia subcordata Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 408 Oahu BISH 1851-01-01
75 Cordia subcordata Toward Ka Lae o Ka Ilio Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 619 Molokai BISH 1915-03-25
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