Can you eat the fruit from a Geiger tree?

Can you eat the fruit from a Geiger tree?

The leaves of the tropical American geiger tree, aloewood, or sebesten plum (C. sebestena) are used as a substitute for sandpaper. The bright red-orange, six- to seven-lobed flowers are striking and occur in large clusters. The greenish, acid-tasting fruits are edible.

How to grow Cordia sebestena?

Cordia Sebestena needs to be grown in full sun. It grows well in places where the soil is not a problem. The roots are very susceptible to rot; therefore watering should be done only when needed. The plant is drought tolerant.

How big does a Geiger tree get?

Young Geiger-Tree. This dense, rounded, evergreen native tree grows slowly to a height of 25 feet with an equal spread and can develop a trunk 12 inches thick (Fig.

What is orange Geiger tree?

Believed to be a native of the Florida Keys, the lovely geiger tree blooms during warm weather with frilly flower clusters in vivid orange, yellow or white. The orange geiger (Cordia sebestena) is the most well-known, with showy, deep orange flowers that contrast nicely against the tree’s coarse green leaves.

How do you grow Geiger trees?

Geiger Tree grows and flowers best in full sun and tolerates sandy, alkaline soils and direct salt spray. Do not plant where there is the slightest danger of frost. Geiger Tree is quite salt- and brackish-water tolerant, making it ideal for use in coastal landscapes as a free-standing specimen, patio or framing tree.

How do you plant a Geiger tree?

Plant your Geiger tree in full sun to enjoy the maximum number of flowers. However, it can also tolerate partial shade. A soil pH of 5.5 to 8.5 is best. Once established, it is tolerant to both flooding and drought.

What does a Geiger tree look like?

Geiger Tree Info It is a relatively small tree with orange flowers and evergreen leaves. It is also known as scarlet cordia or orange cordia. Several related trees in the Cordia genus feature white or yellow flowers and enjoy similar conditions. Geiger trees are native to the Caribbean islands and possibly to Florida.

How fast do Geiger trees grow?

Give it its primary needs, abundant sun and good drainage, and it will grow happily into a 20- to 30 foot tree with about a 20-foot canopy within five years.

Is the Geiger tree native to Florida?

Geiger trees are native to the Caribbean islands and possibly to Florida. They can grow in zones 10b to 12b, so in the mainland U.S., South Florida is the only place suitable for growing this species. However, its white-flowered relative Cordia boisseri is more cold tolerant.

Do Geiger trees lose their leaves?

Geigers may lose leaves in winter. When warm rains return, however, new foliage will appear followed by clusters of flowers, and small, spherical fruit will follow. Birds eat them to an extent, but I don’t see a lot else eating the fruit from my white Geiger.