Family: Boraginaceae

Cordia alliodora, commonly known as Spanish elm, Ecuador laurel, salmwood, or cypre, is a fast-growing tropical tree native to Central America, Mexico, and parts of South America. It typically develops a tall, straight trunk with a rounded to open canopy and large, rough-textured leaves. Small white flowers are produced in showy clusters and are attractive to pollinators. Cordia alliodora is widely planted in tropical regions for its high-quality, lightweight wood, which is valued for furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, and construction. It is also used in agroforestry systems as a shade tree for crops such as coffee and cacao, and for erosion control due to its rapid establishment.

In Hawaiʻi, Cordia alliodora is naturalized on Oʻahu, indicating it is able to reproduce and persist outside of cultivation. The species’ fast growth, prolific seed production, and tolerance of a range of environmental conditions raise concerns about its potential to spread further. If unmanaged, it may compete with native vegetation, alter forest structure, and reduce habitat quality for native species. While not currently considered among the most aggressive invaders, its naturalization suggests caution is warranted. Choosing native or clearly low-risk alternatives is recommended to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability and environmentally versatile
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Oahu, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands), Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Galapagos, and possibly elsewhere
  
• Environmental weed in Vanuatu (and possibly elsewhere), competing with native vegetation
  
• Other Cordia species have become invasive
  
• Possibly unpalatable
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Able to form pure stands
  
• Reproduces by seeds and possibly from lateral roots
  
• Able to reach maturity in three years (but typically in 5+ years)
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind, secondarily by water and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production
  
• Able to coppice and resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Reported to be shade-intolerant (but reports from Oahu suggest plants are able to establish in some shaded sites)
  
• Self-incompatible (but some sources suggest some selfing may occur)
  
• Seeds rapidly lose viability under natural conditions, and are not known to form a persistent seed bank