mangrove

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Asiatic Mangrove
• Loop-root Mangrove
• Red Mangrove
• True Mangrove
• Indo-West Pacific Stilt Mangrove
• Stilt mangrove

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhizophora mucronata var. alokii
• Rhizophora macrorrhiza
• Rhizophora rugens
• Rhizophora latifolia
• Rhizophora longissima
• Rhizophora mucronata f. reducta

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. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Rhizophoraceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Rhizophora.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Africa. In Northern Africa, its presence is recorded within the borders of Egypt. Moving toward the northeast, it can be found throughout the tropical landscapes of Djibouti. The species also extends into the coastal and inland areas of Eritrea and Somalia. Finally, its range encompasses the vast territories of both Sudan and South Sudan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhizophora mucronata is fundamentally defined by its specialized existence within the mangrove habitat, where it functions as a foundational species in coastal intertidal zones. It thrives in saline, waterlogged environments, often occupying the seaward fringe of mangrove forests where it can withstand regular tidal inundation. This species is strictly limited to low-lying coastal areas, maintaining a very specific vertical distribution with an elevational range that reaches a maximum of only 5 m AMSL (meters above mean sea level). By colonizing these transition zones between land and sea, it plays a critical role in stabilizing shorelines and moderating the effects of wave action through its complex structural adaptations.

Elevational range max:

5 m AMSL

Habitat :

mangrove

Life history

The life history of Rhizophora mucronata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring long-term persistence within its coastal mangrove ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody structures, specifically classified under the phanerophyte life form to reflect its stature and growth habit. The plant exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing a constant canopy that supports its metabolic needs in saline environments. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, a phanerophyte life form, and evergreen foliage allows the species to maintain a stable and continuous presence in its specialized ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhizophora mucronata is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which stands as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent species, functioning without parasitic dependencies, and is classified as a terrestrial plant within its ecosystem. The stature of the plant varies significantly, with a minimum height of 10 m, a mean height of 25 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 30 m. As a terrestrial woody tree, it maintains a robust structure that does not exhibit epiphytic tendencies, such as being a hemi-epiphyte or holoepiphyte, but rather grows directly from the ground.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

25 m

Plant height min:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhizophora mucronata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for many mangrove species adapted to coastal environments. Its vegetative morphology is defined by specific leaf dimensions, where the foliage typically exhibits a mean length of 13 cm, ranging from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 16 cm. The leaf width displays similar variability, with a mean measurement of 7.5 cm, spanning from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 10 cm. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length mean:

13 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf width min:

5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhizophora mucronata is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically utilizing wind as the primary mechanism for pollen transfer. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, which aids in its reproductive success within its specialized habitat. The resulting fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm, maintaining an average length of approximately 6 cm. Similarly, the fruit width varies from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm, with a mean width of 3 cm. Following maturation, the plant employs a hydrochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing water currents to transport its propagules, a critical adaptation for colonizing intertidal environments.

Dispersal syndrome :

hydrochorous

Fruit length max:

7 cm

Fruit length mean:

6 cm

Fruit length min:

5 cm

Fruit width max:

3.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

3 cm

Fruit width min:

2.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Fruit

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Leaf

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Root

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Chemicals

Rhizophora mucronata has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Betulin, Flavanol, Flavonoid, Lignans.

Anthocyanins

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Flavanol

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Lignans

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenolic acid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Stilbenes

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Triterpenoid

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

flavonols

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Rhizophora mucronata has 12 reported activities identified across 3 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

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Rhizophora mucronata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include type 2 diabetes.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations