Mangrove

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• baen
• bina
• white mangrovetree
• Indian Mangrove

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Racka ovata
• Avicennia officinalis f. flaviflora
• Racka torrida
• Avicennia obovata
• Avicennia officinalis f. tomentosa
• Avicennia oepata
• Halodendrum thouarsii
• Avicennia officinalis var. acuminata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Acanthaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Avicennia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is widely documented in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Its presence also extends into the Indo-China region, specifically spanning the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species can be found growing in the tropical landscapes of Cambodia. These scattered locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in varied environments across these territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Avicennia officinalis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a long-term presence within its coastal ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, the plant develops significant woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic organs above the ground, though it can also exhibit traits associated with a nanophanerophyte in certain growth stages or specific environmental conditions. Throughout its existence, it maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and green across different seasons to support continuous metabolic processes.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Avicennia officinalis is characterized by its stature as a woody, self-supporting tree that functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. As a terrestrial species, it exhibits a robust growth form, typically reaching a mean plant height of 25 m, with a maximum height recorded up to 18 m. Although primarily classified under terrestrial growth habits, it possesses semiaquatic characteristics, allowing it to thrive in specialized environments. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary stability for its tree-like architecture.

Aquatic :

semiaquatic

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Avicennia officinalis is characterized by specialized adaptations to saline and anaerobic environments, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway to facilitate carbon fixation. As a C3 plant, it relies on the Calvin cycle occurring within the mesophyll cells, which necessitates efficient management of transpiration and osmotic stress in intertidal zones. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, relying instead on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds from the surrounding substrate. To manage the physiological challenges of its habitat, it employs advanced mechanisms such as salt excretion through specialized foliar glands and specialized aerial roots for gas exchange.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Avicennia officinalis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistry

Chemicals

Avicennia officinalis has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2,4-bis(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)phenol, 2-[4-[2-(dimethylamino)-2-oxo-1,1-diphenylethyl]phenyl]-2-phenylacetic acid, Betulin, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

2,4-bis(2-phenylpropan-2-yl)phenol

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

2-[4-[2-(dimethylamino)-2-oxo-1,1-diphenylethyl]phenyl]-2-phenylacetic acid

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Glycosides

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Saponins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Steroids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Tannins

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Terpenoids

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

betulinic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Avicennia officinalis has 26 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anthelmintic, AntiHIV, Antiasthmatic, Antibacterial, Anticancer.

Anthelmintic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Antiasthmatic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Avicennia officinalis has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Staphylococcus aureus, antiasthmatic, constipation, diuretic.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations