Cordia dodecandra
Siricote, Ziricote
Cordia dodecandra
Siricote is a tree that is widespread throughout southern Mexico and central America. It is a tropical tree that often is found growing in coastal lowlands. This tree is likely not tolerant of frost events, but we will find out how it does at the Wildlands HQ.
The trees are believed to have been cultivated as far back as the Mayan Empire! The trees are very valuable in many ways such as having totally delicious fruits but also being a highly treasured hardwood. Large clusters of bright orange flowers give way to beautiful clusters of bright yellow fruit. The fruits are a little bit larger than a golf ball and have a succulent pulp surrounded by a large yellow skin that can be used in preserves, and maybe eaten fresh? They look delicious and have been eaten for thousands of years so they gotta be good for something! The hardwood has a peculiar grain that makes it highly treasured by wood workers. It has major potential to be used in a hardwood plantation while also supplying an edible food crop. Think about that, an orchard that will be worth millions of dollars in hardwood!
Definitely give Ziricote a try, I have a really good feeling about it.
Family: Boraginaceae
Name: Cordia dodecandra
Common Name / Native Name: Ziricote, Siricote
Range: Throughout most of Central America; Central Mexico to Nicaragua and Cuba
Sun: Full sun/part shade
Height: 40+ feet
Width: 20+ feet
Foliage: Large green serrate leaves that have a rough texture, like a very fine sand paper
Flower: Bright orange tubular flowers, a striking display
Fruit: Fairly decently sized (larger than a golfball), orange/yellow with a very pleasant taste. It is locally treasured and has been in cultivation since the Mayan Empire
Soil Type/ pH: Unknown
USDA Climate Zones: Unknown but has major potential for subtropical areas
Cold Hardiness: Undetermined
Edibility: A delicious fruit that is highly regarded and eaten fresh or used in preserves.
Age to maturity: Unknown
Sources:
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cordia+dodecandra
http://plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:114110-1
https://www.ecured.cu/Ciricote
https://informefracto.com/voz-de-la-peninsula/el-tradicional-arbol-de-ciricote-en-yucatan/