Kodo wood is a tree in the Boraginaceae family that is native to Asia and Australia. The tree varies widely in its range depending on where it is growing. Kodo wood has flowers with a delicate fragrance and showy edible fruits that attract birds. As the fruits form, the whole canopy becomes covered with berries, adding interest to the fall garden. It will grow up to 25 feet tall and wide with a thick canopy. It is an evergreen tree but during a drought, it may become deciduous. Plant in a location that provides shelter. Kodo wood prefers full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile, moist, sandy loam soil. Be sure to water during a drought. Use as a shade tree, specimen or accent in a yard, park or along a street. The fruits may be messy. This tree may be difficult to find for sale. The wood from Kodo Wood is strong, yet lightweight, and often used to build furniture and as carrying poles. When propagating from seed, ensure that the flesh is removed from the fruit. Rapid germination is common. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in. | Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Obovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves are elliptic to oval and green with distinct veining. Margins have fine teeth and the upper surface has fine hairs. The base is broad cuneate and apex acute. 4- 6 inches long by 1.5-2 inches wide.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Tiny white 5 parted flowers on 8 in. panicle.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Black; Gold/Yellow; Orange
Fruit type
Berry; Drupe
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Forming in clusters, the small sweet-tasting fruits turns from Yellow-orange to black. Each is about the size of a pea and contains four seeds. Unripe fruit can be used as a pickle.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Dark Gray
Bark detail
Dark brown-gray bark with vertical fissures and fluted base.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Young stems are smooth and brown with distinct lenticels.