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Texas Olive, Anacahuita
Scientific Name: Cordia boissieri A. DC.
Family: Boraginaceae

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Recommended Temperature Zone:
sunset: 8-28
USDA: 9-12
Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 18°F (-8°C)
Sun Exposure: Full sun, tolerates reflected heat
Origin: USA (Texas: Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico), Mexico (Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas)
Growth Habits: Deciduous, large shrub or can be trained as a small tree, 10 to 25 feet tall and wide (3-7.5 m); single gray-green leaves, rough to the touch, up to 5 inches long (12.5 cm), 2 inches wide (5 cm), with lighter undersides
Watering Needs: Regular to little water when established, needs good drainage
Propagation: Seed or cuttings in summer
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The genus is named for Euricius Cordus and his son Valerius, 16th century German physicians and botanists. The species is named for Pierre-Edmond Boissier, 19th century Swiss botanist.


Cultural Practices: Propagation by seeds might be tricky. Best results are obtained with fresh seeds at temperatures above 95°F (35°C)
Blooming Habits: Showy funnel-shaped, single white flowers with yellow throat, 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter (3.7-6.2 cm) in spring and occasionally in fall.
Fruiting Habits: Fleshy, but unedible, yellow-green roundish fruit, 1 inch long (2.5 cm) with one (to 4) large seed(s). The fruit is slightly toxic, causing dizziness when fresh, reported safe in jellies. It is eaten by the birds.
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