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Alternate Name(s)
Scarlet Cordia
Scientific Name
Cordia sebestena
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Gentianales
Family
Boraginaceae
Genus
Cordia
Status in Hawaii
Introduced
Native Region
American Tropics
Cultural Significance
While Cordia sebestena is primarily valued and cultivated for its ornamental qualities, there are limited references to its use in folk and traditional medicine. It is important to note that scientific research specifically validating the medicinal properties of C. sebestena is scarce, and most reported uses are based on traditional knowledge and practices associated with the broader Cordia genus. In some communities, the leaves or leaf extracts have been applied topically as poultices for minor wounds and skin irritations, drawing on the genus’s reputation for potential soothing or anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, anecdotal accounts describe the use of bark or leaf decoctions in home remedies for minor ailments such as coughs or mild gastrointestinal discomfort. These practices are largely informed by traditional uses of related Cordia species with more extensively documented medicinal properties.
Sources
Scarlet Cordia (Cordia sebestena). (2018). INaturalist Canada. https://inaturalist.ca/taxa/160878-Cordia-sebestena
Plants of Hawai’i | Bishop Museum. (2020). Plantsofhawaii.org. https://www.plantsofhawaii.org/detail/%7B228A7037-E8FB-4DBB-ADDB-129E90FD88E3%7D https://www.heritage.vi/geiger-tree/
Collection Date
Fall 10-11-2025
Collection Number
BYUH_25_19
Recommended Citation
Gamba, Clariza Mae Anoc, "Geiger Tree" (2025). Herbarium Collection. 14.
https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/herbarium/14