CORDIA ABYSSINICA R. Br.—Aliliba. BORAGINACEAE.
A small tree up to 25 feet high, either shrub-like in habit or with a short bole and round crown. The distinguishing features are the large heart-shaped leaves, large heads of papery flowers and the clusters of yellow fruits. As a shrub the branches spring from ground level and form a large compact bush, and as a tree the bole may be from 6-10 feet long and some 2-3 feet in girth.
The Bark is light grey and smooth with small lenticels. Only on the larger trees do scales form and the bark splits longitudinally and has a fibrous appearance. The slash is white.
The Leaves vary greatly in size from the quite small ones at the twig ends to the large basal leaves a foot long and 9 inches wide. They are heart-shaped, with stout stalks, the mid-rib curved back and the leaf tending to fold up along its length. Both surfaces are rough with short hairs. The upper surface is dark green, the lower paler. The venation is bold, the mid-rib not straight, but changing direction at each lateral nerve. The lateral nerves are connected by parallel veins. The leaf is tough in texture.
The Flowers which appear in October, are in large branched heads, a mass of buds prolonging the flowering period. The flower blooms for one day and then dries crisp, retaining its shape more or less when dry. Each flower is an inch across, funnel-shaped, white, with veined and crinkled corolla with 5 indistinct lobes. There are 5 black-anthered stamens and a twice-forked style with 4 stigmas. The 5-toothed calyx is a short tube and is heavily ribbed. The flowers have no stalks and there is a slight perfume.
The Fruits are in clusters; round juicy drupes with a hard stone and yellow translucent flesh, edible and sweet. They are ½ inch in diameter.
Uses.—The fruits are eaten, either fresh or mixed with honey to make a sweetmeat “alewa.”
