Cordia collococca — an easy houseplant, prefers full sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Cordia collococca

Cordia Collococca

Updated · 29 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Cordia collococca, commonly known as the Clammy Cherry or Indian Cherry, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree belonging to the Boraginaceae family. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. The tree can grow up to 10 meters in height and features a dense crown of leaves that are dark green and glossy on top, with fine hairs covering the underside.

The Clammy Cherry produces small white flowers, followed by round or oval-shaped fruits that change from green to yellow when ripe. The fruit is sweet and edible when fully mature.

This plant possesses various medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-microbial effects, which make it valuable in traditional medicine for treating ailments such as fever, coughs, and colds, among others.

Cordia collococca prefers well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. It can be propagated through seeds or cuttings but requires regular watering until it becomes established.

Overall, Cordia collococca has both ornamental value, due to its attractive foliage, and medicinal value, owing to its therapeutic properties. This makes it an important plant species for both horticulture enthusiasts and traditional medicine practitioners.

A note from PlantMom

Red manjack has strong resistance to disease and is generally unlikely to develop illnesses. Regarding care, the plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs minimal watering, and larger plants typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they have bloomed. Red manjackt is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and does not demand much prior care experience.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Cordia Collococca.

Light

Red manjack is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, that offer abundant light. It does best in Full Sun but can tolerate Partial Sun, adjusting well to different light conditions.

Temperature

Red manjack comes from tropical areas, where the climate is usually warm and humid. Consequently, it is well suited to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature changes and prefers a stable temperature, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It generally cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the environmental temperature drops too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Red manjack is in early spring, when it breaks dormancy. This supports overall growth and flower development. Fertilization improves the foliage, stems, and branches, while encouraging flowers that are larger, more vibrant, and longer-lasting. It helps transport nutrients from the roots to the flowers and enhances the plant's health and resistance to disease.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Cordia
Family
Boraginaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
10.06 m to 14.94 m
Mature Spread
7.92 m to 11.89 m
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Colombia, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Venezuela, Peru, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica
ALSO KNOWN AS

Other names.

en Manjack en Clammy-cherry en Red manjack
PLATES
Cordia collococca leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Cordia collococca leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Cordia collococca flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Cordia collococca flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Cordia collococca fruit
PLATE 05 · fruit
Cordia collococca fruit
PLATE 06 · fruit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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