Family: Boraginaceae
Cordia collococca, commonly known as clammy cherry or red manjack, is a small to medium-sized tropical tree native to the Caribbean, parts of Central America, and northern South America. It features broad, glossy green leaves and clusters of small white flowers that develop into round, reddish-brown fruits with a sticky texture. The fruits are edible and have been traditionally eaten fresh or cooked, while the tree itself is appreciated for shade, ornamental landscaping, and coastal plantings due to its tolerance of salt spray and wind. Its wood has also been used locally for light construction and small craft items.
Cordia collococca is considered low risk and is not known to pose significant threats to natural ecosystems. It does not exhibit aggressive growth or spread, and there is no strong evidence of it displacing native species or forming dense infestations. When grown responsibly, it can be a suitable choice for landscaping, especially in managed settings, and poses minimal concern for Hawaiʻi’s natural areas.
High Risk Traits:
- Grows in tropical climates
- Documented as a weed, but unable to corroborate or identify impacts
- Other Cordia species have become invasive
- Reproduces by seeds
- Seeds dispersed by frugivorous birds and mammals
- Seeds able to be stored for extended periods; May form a persistent seed bank
- Able to coppice and resprout after cutting
- Limited ecological information reduces accuracy of risk prediction
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of naturalization, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
- Provides fodder for livestock
- Edible fruit
- Dioecious
- Reaches maturity in ca. 7 years
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
