Trees & Plants

Yellow mangrove

Karamana to

Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rob.

Rare, restricted to some islands The wood is more durable compared to other mangroves. Bark is used for tanning, source of a black dye and in lotions for malignant ulcers. Treating nets and sails with the bark extract is known to protect them from decay. The fruit is reported to

Details

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uses: The wood is more durable compared to other mangroves. Bark is used for tanning, source of a black dye and in lotions for malignant ulcers. Treating nets and sails with the bark extract is known to protect them from decay. The fruit is reported to be an astringent and a folk remedy for malaria and sores. In Philippines, the bark is also used to cure diabetes.
family: Rhizophoraceae
synonym: Rhizophora tagal Perr., Ceriops candolleana Arn.
description: Trees, to 10 m high, with for stilt roots from lower part of stem. Leaves simple, crowded at apex of branches, × 5-10 2-7cm, obovate-oblong, margins wavy, an yellowish-green; petiole to 2 cm. Flowers 6-8 mm long, white, becoming brown later, shortly pedicellate; peduncle to 1 cm long, 4-10-flowered. Calyx-tube 5 lobed, triangular-ovate, upright in flower, acute. Petals 5, oblong, basally coherent by hooked hairs, beset with 3 clavate appendages at the truncate apex; disc 5-lobed. Fruit ovoid, 1.5- 2.5 cm long, crowned by reflexed calyx lobes; hypocotyle distinctly ridged, to 25 cm long.
native range: Asia-Pacifc
distribution: Asia, Australasia, East Africa and the Middle East
english names: Yellow mangrove
flowering fruiting: October – December
occurrence maldives: Rare, restricted to some islands