Sonneratia alba

Sonneratia alba is a mangrove tree in the family Lythraceae. The specific epithet alba is from the Latin meaning "white", referring to the flowers.[4]

Flower

Sonneratia alba
Fruit
Tree
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Lythraceae
Genus: Sonneratia
Species:
S. alba
Binomial name
Sonneratia alba
Synonyms[2]

Description

Sonneratia alba grows up to 40 metres (130 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70 centimetres (30 in). The cracked to fissured bark is brownish, turning grey below the tidal mark. The flowers are white, pink at their base. The dark green fruits measure up to 5 cm (2 in) long.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Sonneratia alba grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical areas from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia and the Western Pacific region.[3][4] Its habitat is sheltered sandy seashores and tidal creeks.[4]

Uses

In Borneo S. alba is used as firewood. In Sulawesi the wood is used in the construction of houses and ships.[4] In Malaysia and Indonesia, the sour fruits are used to flavor fish and are sometimes eaten raw. The leaves are also eaten raw or cooked.[5]

References
  1. Kathiresan, K.; Salmo III, S. G.; Fernando, E. S.; Peras, J. R.; Sukardjo, S.; Miyagi, T.; Ellison, J.; Koedam, N. E.; Wang, Y.; Primavera, J.; Jin Eong, O.; Wan-Hong Yong, J.; Ngoc Nam, V. (2010). "Sonneratia alba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  2. "Sonneratia alba Sm". The Plant List. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  3. "Sonneratia alba". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  4. Bojo, Othman (1995). "Sonneratia alba J. Smith" (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. p. 449. ISBN 983-9592-34-3. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  5. "Perepat (Sonneratia alba) on the Shores of Singapore". www.wildsingapore.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.


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