Cordia laevigata

Botanical Description

Cordia laevigata can be a shrub, or a tree with a dense, rounded crown. Usually growing 4 - 8 metres tall, it is reported to sometimes reach 20 metres, whilst at other times it is a shrub only a few metres tall. It can be evergreen or deciduous according to the climate. The bole can be 30cm in diameter[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It makes an attractive ornamental in cultivation[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. Cordia laevigata has quite a wide range in the Caribbean and C. America but its suitable habitat is threatened by urban development, tourism and recreation activities. The extent of this activity has lead to the species being considered locally as 'Critically Endangered' on some of the smaller Caribbean islands, for example, the Cayman Islands. The species is afforded little protection in the wild. Globally, the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2014)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].