Kou

Cordia subcordata

Native to:
Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., Chagos Archipelago, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gilbert Is., Guam, Hainan, Howland-Baker Is., India, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Philippines, Phoenix Is., Pitcairn Is., Samoa, Seychelles, Society Is., Solomon Is., Somalia, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wake I., Wallis-Futuna Is.

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Boraginaceae
Genus:
Cordia
Species:
Cordia subcordata
USDA Symbol:
COSU2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
1500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
Bloom Colors:
orange

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, bees
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fragrant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in coastal areas with sandy soils.

Propagation & Germination

Pre-treatment: No pretreatment is required. However, germination can be hastened by cutting off one end of the seed capsule and soaking 12-24 hours prior to sowing.

Establishment: Seed capsules can be collected from the ground or picked from the tree once mature. Blooms throughout the year, most abundantly in the spring.

Source: npn.rngr.net