White mangrove
Sonneratia alba
Family: Lythraceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 26-40 m high. The trunk can be 70-175 cm across. The bark is dark grey. The trunk is swollen at the base and with aerial roots. The leaves are thick and leathery, rounded at the tip and 6 to 12 cm long by 3-9 cm wide. They are nearly as wide as long. The outer ring of sepals is green and leathery. The petals are white and narrow and fall off early. The fruit are hard, rounded and pushed down at the tip. They are 3 to 4 cm across and contain many seeds.
There are 9 Sonneratia species. Sometimes these are still put in the Sonnerataceae family.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They are found along the outer part of the swamp and often occur even on exposed reefs throughout the Philippines. They grow on seashores and tidal creeks.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, China, Chuuk, East Africa, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Timor, Yap, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are also used to flavour fish. The leaves are eaten raw or cooked. The nectar of the flowers is eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, flower nectar
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Berembang, Betah, Bidada, Bogem, Bulabol, Djolor, Gedalu, Jolorr, Konpat, Lam pen, M'kuate, Mangrove apple, Maniralbanco, Maripwanga, Metunundi, Mlilana, Mpia, Mpira, Pagatpat, Parapa, Perepat, Pornupan, Prapat, Te nikabubuti, Tindir, Urava, Urur, White flowered Pornupan mangrove