Common Name: Scarlet Cordia, Orange Geiger tree. Tamil name: Aechinarvvihli
Scarlet cordia a tree of South American origin, it grows to a height of about 5-7 meters. Often planted in parks and house-gardens in Tamil Nadu. The young branches of the plant are lenticulate, the bark of mature trees is brown in color with vertical fissures. The simple leaves are arranged in an alternate manner; the leaf margin is wavy; the upper surface of the leaf has a sandpaper like texture. The leaf stalk and leaf measure around 3.7 cm and 20 cm respectively. The leaves are ovate in shape and have a dense green texture. The five parted orange colored flower is joined below to form a funnel shape. The calyx is blackish-green in color and ribbed. The flower tube measurers around 2.1 cm and the flower measurers across 4 cm. The flower encloses around 6-7 stamens. The fruit is pear shaped and green in color initially. The mature fruit is white in color and bears around 1-4 seeds each. Scarlet cordia has been naturalized in India as an ornamental tree. The flower attract bees; beehives can often be seen on this tree.
