Mangrove tree to 3 15 m high, with large and numerous pneumatophores. Attractive species by its large and airy crown, flowers visible from afar and fruits of a rare shape. Mature leaves have reddishyellow petiole. Flowers are white (many filaments), having a calyx with more than 6 sharp lobes.
Sonneratia alba Sm.
No Data |
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Indonesian |
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Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
Habit: Mangrove tree to 3 15 m high.
Roots:Pneumatophores conical emerging upwardly growing from the system of cable roots.
Trunk & bark:Bark smooth with fine longitudinal fissures.
Leaves:Leaves simple, opposite, obovate to ovate, apex broadly rounded and even emarginate, base cuneate, 5 – 12 x 3 – 9 cm, thickly coriaceous; petiole yellow when mature, short and thick. Inflorescences or flowers:Inflorescence solitary or terminal. Flowers large, white, 46 cm across, bisexual; calyx tube campanulate, more than 6 lobed, green outside and red inside; petals, white with red tinged apex, 13 – 20, resembling like filaments; stamens with white filaments. Fruits: Fruits berry, conspicuously oboconical turbinate, 45 cm across apiculate with short style base at center; calyx persistent, 67 lobed, reflexed.
Seeds /seedling:Seeds falcate and smooth, many 150200 per fruit. Epigeal or modified epigeal germination.
Habitat and ecology: Pioneer species, colonizing newly formed sandy mud flats in sheltered situations.
Septifragal capsules split and seeds with corky or spongy testa spread along water current for establishing seedling in the adjoining mud. Pollination by bats, hawk moths.
Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
Pioneer species, colonizing newly formed sandy mud flats in sheltered situations.
Septifragal capsules split and seeds with corky or spongy testa spread along water current for establishing seedling in the adjoining mud. Pollination by bats, hawk moths.
Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
May be the most widely distributed among Sonneratia species. It ranges from East Africa and Madagascar to Asia and Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago to the Philippines, and tropical Australia to Micronesia, New Hebrides, and New Caledonia.
Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
Wood is used in boatbuilding and in carpentry. Pneumatophores are used to make fishnet floats. Stem is used for paper pulp, matches, and as poles; leaves as fodder; fruits as vegetable; also used to make spinning tops for kids. Crushed leaves used to treat stomach upsets.
Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
Least concern |
Attributions | Prosperi J., Ramesh B.R., Grard P., Jayatissa L.P., Aravajy S. & Depommier D. 2005. Mangroves v1.0. A Multimedia Identification System of Mangroves Species. IFP – CIRAD, Pondichéry, Pondy CD N°3. – CDRom. www.ifpindia.org/Mangroves/ |
Contributors | |
Status | UNDER_CREATION |
Licenses | CC_BY |
References |
Root | Root |
Kingdom | Plantae |
Phylum | Tracheophyta |
Class | Magnoliopsida |
Order | Myrtales |
Family | Lythraceae |
Genus | Sonneratia |
Species | Sonneratia alba Sm. |