Grey mangrove, Manawa
Avicennia marina subsp. australasica

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows about 3-8 m tall. The roots are spreading. There are many erect breathing roots. These can be about 1 cm across. The bark is dark grey. It has very fine cracks. The leaf stalks are 0.5-1 cm long. The blade is narrowly oval and entire. They can be 8 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are leathery. They have a grey covering underneath. The flowering shoots are at the ends of branches. The flowers have very short stalks. The fruit is a flattened capsule 2 cm long. It is yellowish-brown.

There are about 6-8 Avicennia species. They are tropical. Also put in the family Avicenniaceae.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. They grow near high water mark in coastal regions. It grows on sandy-muddy banks which are occasionally flooded by salty or brackish water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The bitter fruit are eaten after soaking and baking. (To remove tannins)

Edible parts

Nuts, fruit

How it is grown

The seed coat is usually split on the plant and drops a young seedling into the ground. The seedlings can float for a week. Seedlings are easy to transplant.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Avicennia marina var. australasica (Walp.) Moldenke; Avicennia marina var. resinifera (G. Forst) Bakh.; Avicennia resinifera G.Forst.; Avicennia tomentosa var. australasica Walp.;