FNPS Plant Database

Cordia sebastiana

Geiger tree
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Geiger tree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Cordia sebastiana

Family:

Boraginaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

10-14 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

orange

Fruit Color:

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Showy Flowers

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen tree

Considerations:

Leaves eaten by larvae of tortoise beetle rendering them not attractive

Availability:

Big Box Stores, Quality Nurseries, Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Not wet but not extremely dry -to- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Soil pH:

Calcareous but adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Native Habitats:

Coastal areas.

Natural Range in Florida:

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Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Authors disagree on the nativity of this tree. Roger Hammer and IRC consider that since the fruits float and are consumed by migratory white-crowned pigeons, it likely predated Spanish settlement.

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+), Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Cordsebe ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Hammer, Roger. (2015). Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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