Cordia Sebestena
Cordia sebestena L.
Cordia sebestena, the Geiger Tree, is a striking evergreen tropical tree native to the American tropics, celebrated for its clusters of brilliant dark orange, funnel-shaped flowers that bloom nearly year-round. It symbolizes courage, strength, resilience, and tropical beauty.
Cordiaceae (formerly Boraginaceae)
Year-round, with peak bloom in spring and summer
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: brachychitons and yellow silk floss flowers also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
The Geiger Tree carries a colorful cultural history in Florida and the Caribbean, where it was famously named by the artist and naturalist John James Audubon in the 1830s, after John Geiger, a Key West harbor pilot and treasure salvager who hosted Audubon on his landmark bird-painting expedition. The tree's association with the daring world of Key West wreckers and salvage divers lends it a quality of courage and bold adventure. As a coastal native that thrives in salt spray and poor soils where other flowering trees cannot survive, the Geiger Tree has long been a symbol of tropical resilience and the enduring beauty of the natural coastline. Its flamboyant year-round orange blooms have made it one of the most admired flowering trees of the American tropics.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; performs best and flowers most abundantly in full sun
Water
Low to moderate; highly drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogging; may drop leaves in prolonged drought as an avoidance strategy
Soil
Sandy, Well-drained, Alkaline, Poor soils, Salt-tolerant
Expert Growing Tips
Do not plant where even the slightest frost occurs; frost will damage or kill the tree
Excellent for seaside gardens due to its outstanding salt spray and alkaline soil tolerance
Prune in youth to establish a single strong trunk, as the tree is prone to low multi-branching
Responds well to coppicing and tolerates pruning well
Best in freely draining sandy or alkaline soil; does not tolerate waterlogged conditions
Watch for occasional attacks by the Geiger tortoise beetle, which can cause defoliation but rarely kills healthy established trees
Propagate from seed or stem cuttings; named for John Geiger of Key West by painter John James Audubon in the 1830s
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Specimen and focal point tree in tropical and coastal gardens
- Street and parking lot tree in frost-free areas
- Seaside and salt-spray garden plantings
- Patio and container tree when young
- Hummingbird and pollinator garden attraction
- Shade tree and framing tree for tropical landscape compositions
Traditional Uses
- Leaves used medicinally in Cuba and parts of the Caribbean for their anti-inflammatory properties
- Edible white fruits with a pleasant fragrance; pulp used in some traditional preparations
- Bark extract used traditionally as a wound antiseptic
- Various traditional medicinal uses documented in Caribbean ethnobotany
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cordia Sebestena
How did the Geiger Tree get its name?
The Geiger Tree was named by the renowned naturalist and painter John James Audubon in the 1830s, after John Geiger, a Key West harbor pilot and wreck salvager with whom Audubon stayed during his bird-painting expedition to Florida. Geiger's house, where a magnificent specimen grew, later became the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens in Key West.
What does Cordia sebestena symbolize?
Cordia sebestena symbolizes courage, strength, and resilience. Its association with the bold world of Key West salvagers, combined with its ability to thrive in harsh coastal salt-spray conditions where few flowering trees can survive, makes it a natural emblem of endurance and adventurous spirit.
Is the Cordia sebestena fruit edible?
The small, egg-shaped, white fruits of the Geiger Tree have a pleasant fragrance and are edible, though they are not particularly flavorful. They have been used in some traditional preparations in the Caribbean and were consumed by early settlers in Florida.
Does Cordia sebestena attract hummingbirds?
Yes, the vivid orange tubular flowers of the Geiger Tree are an excellent nectar source for hummingbirds, making it a prized addition to wildlife and pollinator gardens in subtropical and tropical regions.
Is the Geiger Tree salt tolerant?
Yes, Cordia sebestena is one of the most salt-tolerant flowering trees available for tropical and subtropical landscapes. It thrives in seaside conditions with regular salt spray exposure and grows well in the sandy, alkaline soils typical of coastal areas.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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