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Cordia sinensis
Scientific Name: Cordia sinensis
Family: Boraginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Cordia sinensis: A Detailed Overview
Cordia sinensis, commonly known as grey-leaved saucer berry or grey-leaved cordia, is a flowering tree species belonging to the borage family, Boraginaceae.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is commonly found in homes and gardens.
- Cordia sinensis is a shrub or small tree.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cordia sinensis Lam.
- Family: Boraginaceae (Borage family)
- Synonyms:
- Cordia gharaf Ehrenb. ex Asch.
- Cordia rothii Roem. & Schult.
- Cordia angustifolia Roxb.
- Cordia cuneata B. Heyne ex A. DC.
- Cordia nevillii Alston
- Cordia quercifolia Klotsch
- Basionym: Gerascanthus sinensis (Lam.) Borhidi
Distribution and Habitat
Cordia sinensis has a wide distribution range, extending from:
- South Africa
- East Africa
- Madagascar
- Chad
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- India
- Israel
- Kenya
- Mali
- N. Yemen
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Oman
- S. Yemen
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
It is typically found in low-altitude arid and semiarid areas, particularly in "grong water bushland" and moist river beds.
Morphological Characteristics
- Cordia sinensis can grow as a low, leafy shrub or bush, or as a multi-stemmed tree, reaching heights of 3-12 meters.
- It is often a compact, densely growing shrub, usually up to 4 meters tall.
- The plant can appear as a shrub 5-6m high with crooked branches, branched near the base, and a more or less open top.
- Leaves are opposite, subopposite, or alternate, oblong to obovate, greyish-green with pale hairs on both surfaces, and have entire margins.
Ecological Role
Cordia sinensis prefers moist river beds but also occurs in arid and semiarid areas, indicating its adaptability to different environmental conditions.
Traditional and Potential Uses
Studies suggest Cordia sinensis has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation activities, potentially due to its phenolic constituents.
Extracts from Cordia rothii and Cordia sinensis have been studied for their effects on various microorganisms.
Further Information
Additional information and resources on Cordia sinensis can be found at:
- Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
- ARKive (for photos and facts)
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) Herbarium
- Namibia Biodiversity Database
- Plant Names Index
- Prelude Medicinal Plants Database
- Botanic Library: Oases with Sudanian Trees Desert Savannoid Vegetation
- The Plant List
- IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
- Australian Plant Name Index
- NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
- Discover Life