Gray mangrove

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Gray Mangrove
• Grey Mangrove
• white mangrove
• Mangrove

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sceura marina

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Avicennia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Avicennia marina, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several key regions. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing within the borders of Egypt. Its presence extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it is native to Djibouti and Eritrea. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout the Socotra archipelago. Finally, the plant is also established within the coastal areas of Somalia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Avicennia marina is defined by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, where it thrives in saline conditions along shorelines. This species occupies a specific vertical niche within its ecosystem, maintaining an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends to a maximum elevation of 50 m AMSL. By colonizing these coastal habitats, the plant plays a critical role in stabilizing shorelines and managing the transition between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

50 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Coastal

Life history

The life history of Avicennia marina is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its specialized coastal habitats. As a phanerophyte, it exhibits a robust growth habit where its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte to withstand the environmental pressures of mangrove ecosystems. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional throughout the year to support continuous physiological processes. Through its perennial lifecycle and phanerophyte life form, Avicennia marina establishes a stable and enduring structural presence in its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Avicennia marina is characterized by its robust and woody growth form, which allows it to function as both a tree and a shrub. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, nor does it act as a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. As a terrestrial species, it is neither an epiphyte nor an aquatic plant, though it thrives in specific coastal environments. The plant displays significant variability in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 30 meters, though it maintains an average plant height of approximately 4 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

4 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Avicennia marina is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in coastal environments. Its leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 12 cm, while leaf widths vary between a minimum of 1 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the availability of nitrogen within its specific ecological niche to support its physiological functions and growth.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

3.5 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Avicennia marina is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering cycle is highly flexible, with the flowering period starting in March and also concluding in March, though it can be variable across the months of January through December. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination. During the reproductive phase, self-fertilization is present, ensuring reproductive success. The resulting fruit is characterized as a capsule with an average length of 2 cm, and it is a dehiscent type. The seeds produced exhibit a mean mass of 4.28 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 3.4 g to a maximum of 5.16 g. Following maturation, the plant employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water to transport its seeds to new locations.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Fruit length mean:

2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

5.16 g

Seed mass mean:

4.28 g

Seed mass min:

3.4 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Avicennia marina has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of nephropathology
3. Saudi journal of biological sciences
4. Natural product research

Fruit

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

Stem

1. Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology

Chemicals

Avicennia marina has 28 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, AVICEQUINONE C, AVICENOL A, AVICENOL C, AVICEQUINONE A.

Flavonoids

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. PeerJ
3. Pharmaceutical biology

AVICEQUINONE C

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

AVICENOL A

1. Journal of natural products

AVICENOL C

1. Journal of natural products

AVICEQUINONE A

1. Journal of natural products

Avicequinone B

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

CHLOROFORM

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Chrysoeriol 7-O-glucoside

1. Fitoterapia

Corosolic acid

1. Plant biotechnology (Tokyo, Japan)

GLYCINEBETAINE

1. Plant molecular biology

Activities

Avicennia marina has 20 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
3. Archiv der Pharmazie
4. Natural product research

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Antimicrobial

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Avicennia marina has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, COVID-19, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations