Cordia sebestena is a shrubby tree in the borage family, Boraginaceae, native to the American tropics.

It ranges from southern Florida in the United States and the Bahamas, southwards throughout Central America and the Greater Antilles.

[5] Cordia sebestena grows to a maximum height of 8–9 m (25–30 ft) at maturity, with a nearly equal spread.

[6] The dense, evergreen foliage consists of dark green, leathery, alternate, ovate leaves, 18 cm (7 in) long, with wavy margins.

Flowers are 5 cm (2 in) wide, red-orange in color, tubular, flaring (salverform) with 5–7 lobes, bearing 5–7 stamens of similar height.