Boraginaceae
Cordia monoica
Sandpaper tree · Msasa
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Available in our catalogue
We propagate this species and you can order it from our catalogue.
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A multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, typically growing 3-6 metres tall, occasionally reaching 12 metres. Its blue-grey bark is thin, fibrous, and peels in strips. The broadly oval leaves, 5-8 cm long, are distinctly rough like sandpaper on the upper surface, with soft hairs below and prominent veins. It produces fragrant, pale yellow flowers in dense clusters and edible yellow-orange fruits, about 2 cm long, encased in a hairy cup-like calyx.
Where it works in Kilifi
This species thrives in full sun and well-draining loam soil, tolerating dry conditions. It is suitable as a specimen or shade tree in a Kilifi-coast garden, or for restoration in deciduous forest types and bushland.
Growing notes
Cordia monoica is a slow-growing tree. While drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from occasional watering, ideally every two weeks, to maintain healthy foliage. It should be protected from frost.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: worldagroforestry.org, theferns.info, cabidigitallibrary.org, capriviflora.com, sanbi.org, tradewindsfruit.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.