Cordia sebestena commonly called Spanish Cordia or Geranium tree originated from the northern coast of South America and the Caribbean, and comes from the Boraginaceae family.
Cordia is a small shapely tropical tree which grows to a height of approximately 25 feet in an upright pyramidal form. Cordia produces colourful orange/red flowers which grow in clusters
with as many as 12-15 blossoms per cluster, almost looking like Geranium flowers, hence the common name. The flowers mature first towards the centre of each cluster. Each flower is about 1 inch in diameter and the petals are like paper and frilly at the edges. The leaves are large, oval and rough with a texture like sandpaper.
A specimen of the Cordia can be seen on Brickdam outside the Hydromet Office, and another one is on Regent Street; both are in very poor condition.
Cordia is very popular in the Bahamas, Barbados and throughout the Caribbean, as well as in the Florida Keys. Cordia is planted as a street tree, in parks, avenues and landscaping projects. It can be grown from seed. It takes roughly five years to develop a dense canopy. Here in Guyana enough effort was not placed on Cordia and we are losing them faster than we can grow them.
NB: As I said before, the trees in the city are a disaster waiting to happen. Too much weight is being pushed to the top and the trees are becoming too heavy.
Could the authorities responsible for the trees, namely, the M&CC please give this matter their urgent attention and prevent this disaster from happening. Remember these trees serve a very useful purpose.
Other than providing shade in the avenues, they absorb the carbon dioxide and release oxygen which purifies the air that we all breathe. For too long our trees have been neglected; let us all put emphasis on a greener and healthier Guyana.
Until next week, happy gardening!
