New Zealand mangrove, White mangrove
Avicennia officinalis

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 22.5 m high. The trunk is moderately stout and usually crooked. The outer bark is yellowish green and the inner bark is white. The bark does not peel but develops cracks along its length. The small twigs droop at their ends. The leaves are elongated with a rounded end. They can be up to 12 cm x 6 cm and are dark green on top and bluish grey underneath. The flowers are medium size. The fruit is egg shaped with a long tapering beak like tip. The fruit is yellow-brown, large and hairy when ripe.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows near river mouths on the edges of mangrove swamps. It is usually at the back of the mangroves on land seasonally flooded.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Africa, India, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten. The seeds are eaten after processing. They are bitter. They need to be roasted or boiled.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Baa-linn, Bina, Egaie, Indian mangrove, Mada, Sme siem, Tagon-tagon, Tavariyan, Tchoonche, Thbanh, Tivar

Synonyms

Avicenna tomentosa Wall.;