Black Mangrove, Red mangrove, Asiatic mangrove
Rhizophora mucronata

Family: Rhizophoraceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows to 30 m high and spreads to 3 m across. The stem is erect and branching. It has branched stilt roots. The leaves are leathery, oblong and shiny. The tip of the leaf ends in a slender thorn like extension of the midrib. Leaves are 10 cm long. The flower stalks are among the leaves and as long as the leaf stalks. Flowers are small. The leaf stalks are white to cream. The fruit are pear shaped and brown with a brown rough surface with glands. The hypocotyl is long and cylindrical. It is 20-40 cm long and 1.5-2 cm wide.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows well in brackish and salt water swamp areas. It needs an open sunny position. It is damaged by drought and frost. They are common in mangrove swamps throughout the Philippines.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Pacific, Pakistan, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Ryukyu, Samoa, SE Asia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Timor, Yap

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The juice is made into wine. The young shoots are cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, coffee

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Adaviponna, Baing-daung, Bairada, Bakau belukap, Bakau kurap, Bakauan-babae, Bako, Bhora, Bulabol, Byu-chidauk, Dogo, Eoeak, Gurm ahmer, Jangkar, Jumuda, Kamo, Kandaale, Kandal, Khamo, Kong kaang, Kong kawn, Kongkeng, Kunro, Lan, Mangal encamado, Metondo, Mkaka, Mkoko, Nonou, Pang ka bai yai, Paniccha kandal, Payon-ama, Peykkandal, Pikandal, Pyu, Rai, Randhoo, Rohi, Sorapinnai, Tebechel, Tinmar, Togo, Uppiponna, Vankandal

Synonyms

Rhizophora candelaria Wight & Arn.; Rhizophora macrorrhiza Griff.;