Gerascanthus cujabensis (Silva Manso & Lhotzky ex Cham.) Borhidi
Gerascanthus velutinus Fresen.
Lithocardium alliodorum (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze
Lithocardium cujabense (Silva Manso & Lhotzky ex Cham.) Kuntze
Lithocardium gerascanthus var. alliodorum (Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze
Lithocardium hartwigsiana Kuntze
Solanum mucronatum O.E.Schulz
Varronia rusbyi (Britton ex Rusby) Borhidi
Varronia tuberosa Sessé & Moc.
Cordia alliodora is a species of floweringtree in the borage family, Boraginaceae, that is native to the Americantropics.[2] It is commonly known as Spanish elm, Ecuador laurel,[3]cypre[2] or salmwood.[2] It can reach 35 m in height.
Among the synonyms of Cordia alliodora is Solanum mucronatum.[1]Solanum is placed in a different family from Cordia (Solanaceae rather than Boraginaceae).[4]Solanum mucronatum was described by Otto Eugen Schulz in 1909. In his description, Schulz expressed doubt that Solanum was the right genus.[5]
Uses
Cordia alliodora is one of several Cordia trees called bocote in Spanish and its wood, which has very little figure, is usually called freijo or jennywood along with that of Cordia goeldiana. The wood is used for boat decking, furniture, cabinetry, guitar/bass building by luthiers, and sometimes substitutes for mahogany or teak.
Environmental aspects
Outside of its indigenous range, Cordia alliodora has been identified as a problematic invasive species.[6]
For example, a timber-focused planting program of the species in Vanuatu during the mid-1970s has over time proved disruptive to native ecosystems and communities. The species has been described as a severe environmental nuisance, as it has overtaken natural forests by multiplying at a faster rate than being harvested, and has become susceptible to outbreaks of a form of root rot known as Phellinus noxius.[7]
^Schulz, Otto Eugen (1909). "Solanacearum genera nonnulla". In Urban, Ignaz (ed.). Symbolae Antillanae, seu, Fundamenta florae Indiae Occidentalis. Vol. 6. pp. 140–192. Retrieved 29 December 2023. "An haec planta re vera ad Solanum pertiniat?" (Does this plant really belong to Solanum?) p. 191
^Country report on the forestry invasive species situation in Vanuatu.
Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific Forest Invasive Species Conference. Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
17–23 August 2003. http://www.fao.org/docrep/008/ae944e/ae944e0a.htm