Always a new favorite

This particular new favorite is a mid-sized tree, Cordia dodecandra, commonly known as ciricote. It first caught my attention because of how spectacular it is in bloom.

It turns out that this Cordia species is not just a pretty face. As the obvious throat and the guide lines of the blossoms indicate, the plant attracts pollinators, as do others in its family. Although they look nothing alike, ciricote's relatives include the herbs borage and comfrey as well as the springtime favorite, Virginia bluebells. (That's plant classification for you.)

Ciricote fruit (here in its unripe state) is edible and is believed to have been cultivated since the time of the Maya.

I have read that it is popular in preserves but have yet to see any offered for sale.

This lovely is not just useful for insect and human food. Its rough leaves were traditionally used as natural sandpaper and dish cleaners, and its wood has had multiple uses, notably boatbuilding, fine furniture, and musical instruments. And the plant is tough. This young specimen evidently managed to seed itself next to some other tough customers on a salt-sprayed, windblown, unwatered beach.

And it's fruiting.

Beautiful, useful, hard to kill--my kind of plant.