Cordia sinensis

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds present no inherent problems in storage or germination, but are difficult to extract from fruits for testing. If the seeds have not been properly dried and stored under optimal conditions, storage life and viability will be reduced.

Cordia sinensis (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species is likely to have Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

If possible, X-ray the fruits before testing to identify those with full seeds. Remoisturise the fruits under high humidity at 20°C for 5 days, then extract the seeds. Carefully chip the seed coat at both the radical and cotyledon ends to expose the embryo. Germinate the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at 20°C. Add 250 mg/l gibberellic acid to the germination medium if necessary, to encourage germination.

The seeds of this species do not display dormancy (based on other species in the same genus).

Seed Morphology

Cordia sinensis
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Taxonomy

Family: BORAGINACEAE

Accepted name: Cordia sinensis Lam.

Synonyms: Cordia gharaf Asch., Cordia rothii Roem. & Schult.

Common name: Grey-leaved cordia, Grey-leaved saucer-berry

References and Links

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Cordia sinensis.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Cordia sinensis.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Cordia sinensis.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Cordia sinensis.