Red flowered Black Mangrove
Lumnitzera littorea

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A small tree 3-5 m high. It spreads to 9 m wide. It can be larger. It has slender knee shaped roots allowing air. The bark is rough and dark grey. It has cracks along its length. The leaves are arranged in spirals. They are crowded towards the ends of branches. The leaves are smooth, slightly fleshy and leathery. They are spoon shaped and taper towards the base. The leaves are 2-8 cm long by 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are red tubes with a strong scent. They are 1.5-2 cm long. Many flowers occur together in flower clusters near the ends of branches. These flower clusters are 2-5 cm long. The fruit are hard and smooth. They are 1 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are corky and have a single seed.

There are 2 Lumnitzera species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on the landward side of the mangroves. It occurs in soft mud where the tide only occasionally reaches.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Cambodia, China, Chuuk, East Timor, Fiji, FSM, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kiribati, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

The flowers can be sucked for nectar.

Edible parts

Nectar

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In Australia, plants flower June to February and fruit July to November.

Its other names

Local names

Kimeme, Mekekad, Sagali, Te aitoa, Te tongo-kai

Synonyms

Lumnitzera coccinea Wight & Arn.;