flat-leaf spurred mangrove

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• flat-leaf spurred mangrove

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhizophora decandra
• Bruguiera decandra
• Ceriops roxburghiana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic details place it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, specifically within the family Rhizophoraceae. Finally, its scientific classification is completed under the genus Ceriops, with the specific species being Ceriops decandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions of South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka. Its range also extends into the Indo-China region, specifically covering the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species is documented to inhabit the country of Cambodia. Together, these locations highlight the diverse geographical footprint of Ceriops decandra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ceriops decandra is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its habitat over many years. As a long-lived woody species, it undergoes continuous growth cycles, establishing a stable presence within its specialized ecological niche. Its development follows a pattern typical of mangrove flora, where the individual maintains structural integrity and physiological function across multiple seasons, contributing to the long-term stability of the coastal ecosystem through its enduring existence.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ceriops decandra is characterized by a woody growth form that typically manifests as a tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not rely on a host as a parasite. Structurally, it is a self-supporting species rather than a climber, vine, or liana, maintaining its upright stature through its robust, woody development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ceriops decandra is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to intertidal and mangrove environments, specifically utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway. Unlike many succulent desert plants that employ Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) to conserve water, this species operates through the standard C3 cycle, where carbon fixation occurs via the enzyme RuBisCO during the daylight hours. This pathway involves the direct carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) to produce 3-phosphoglycerate, a process that necessitates a continuous supply of moisture to maintain open stomata for gas exchange. To mitigate the physiological stresses of high salinity and fluctuating tidal inundation, the plant integrates this C3 metabolism with sophisticated osmoregulatory mechanisms and salt-exclusion strategies at the root level, ensuring that carbon assimilation remains efficient despite the osmotic challenges inherent to its saline habitat.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ceriops decandra is characterized by specific seed morphology and a specialized dispersal strategy. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a highly uniform mass, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass all consistently measured at 2.74 g. Regarding the movement of offspring from the parent plant, the species utilizes a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are primarily dispersed by water, though the broader ecological context may also involve elements of anemochorous, zoochorous, autochorous, or unspecialized dispersal mechanisms.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Seed mass mean:

2.74 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ceriops decandra has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Ceriopsin E, Flavonoid, Tannin, quercetin.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Ceriopsin E

1. Journal of natural products

Flavonoid

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Tannin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

quercetin

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Activities

Ceriops decandra has 14 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antimicrobial

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Ceriops decandra has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiarrheal, antioxidant, hepatitis, pain.

Antidiarrheal

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Antioxidant

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pain

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Ceriops decandra has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extracts.

Methanol extracts

1. Indian journal of pharmacology