Mangrove apple
Sonneratia ovata
Family: Lythraceae
What it is like
A small tree. It grows up to 10-20 m high. The trunk is 20-35 cm across. It forms branches low down. It has aerial roots. The bark is similar to guava. Young branches are 4-angled. The leaves are simple and produced opposite one another. The leaf is rounded and notched around the edge. Leaves are 4-8 cm long by 3-7 cm wide. There are 12-14 pairs of side veins. The veins are fine but distinct on both sides of the leaf surface. The leaf stalk is 4-6 mm long. The flowers occur in a flat topped arrangement at the end of branches. Three flowers occur together. The bud is rounded at the top and has small dots. The flower tube has 6 lobes. The flower does not have petals. The fruit is a berry 3-4 cm across and 2-3 cm high. The sepals hang on the fruit enabling it to float. The fruit are edible.
The aerial roots are used for corks.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs in mangrove swamps. It is near the coast and on alluvial soil with often fresh or brackish water nearby. It grows on the landward edge of the mangrove swamps. It is found in the less salty parts of mangrove forests and never on coral banks.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andamans, Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The mature fruit is eaten. It is eaten as a salad.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
In Vietnam the plants flower in March and April and fruit from June to July.
Its other names
Local names
Ampea, Ban oi, Bogem, Gedabu, Kedabu, Lamphaen, Lapea, Perapat, Rogam