Family: Rhizophoraceae
Author: (L.) Lam.
Bibliography: Encycl. 4: 696 (1798)
Year: 1798
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Bruguiera
Vegetable: False
Observations: NE. Trop. & S. Africa to W. Pacific, N. Northern Territories & N. Queensland to NE. New South Wales
Description
The Burmese mangrove, scientifically known as Bruguiera gymnorhiza, is a notable species within the Rhizophoraceae family. First described in the year 1798, this plant has since held significant ecological importance, especially within its native regions.
Bruguiera gymnorhiza thrives in a diverse range of tropical and subtropical habitats. Its natural distribution spans from the northeastern tropics of Africa, extending through southern Africa, and reaching as far as the western Pacific. In Australia, the Burmese mangrove is found across the northern territories, northern Queensland, and extends down to the northeastern parts of New South Wales.
This mangrove species is well-adapted to saline environments, often found in the intertidal zones of estuaries and along coastlines. The robust root systems of Bruguiera gymnorhiza play a critical role in stabilizing shorelines, mitigating erosion, and providing essential habitats for various marine and terrestrial wildlife. The roots also aid in oxygenating the soil, which is vital in water-logged, anaerobic conditions typical of mangrove ecosystems.
The Burmese mangrove is characterized by its distinctive buttress roots and knee roots, which provide support and facilitate gas exchange. The foliage is dense, with glossy, dark green leaves that are oval in shape. The flowers of Bruguiera gymnorhiza are a striking feature, typically exhibiting reddish hues and blooming throughout the year, adding to the ecological and aesthetic value of the regions it inhabits.
In addition to its environmental significance, Bruguiera gymnorhiza holds cultural and economic importance in many coastal communities. The mangrove ecosystems provide resources such as wood for construction and fuel, as well as traditional medicinal uses derived from the plant’s various parts.
Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving these vital mangrove habitats, as they are often threatened by human activity, including coastal development and deforestation. Understanding the ecological contributions of species like the Burmese mangrove underscores the importance of maintaining healthy, biodiverse ecosystems for the resilience and sustainability of our natural world.
Common Names
Eng: oriental mangrove
Ben: kankra
Zho: mu lan
Jpn: オヒルギ/アカバナヒルギ
En: Burmese mangrove, Oriental mangrove, Kankra
Af: Swart wortelboom, Swartwortelboom
Bn: কাঁকড়া গাছ, Kankra
Zh: 木榄, 紅茄苳, Mu lan
Fi: Punatähtimangrove
Id: Putut
Ja: オヒルギ/アカバナヒルギ
Ms: Pokok Tumu Merah
Ml: സുന്ദരിക്കണ്ടൽ
Zh-tw: 木欖, 紅茄冬
Th: พังกาหัวสุมดอกแดง
To: Tongo
Zh-hant: 木欖
Synonyms
- Rhizophora tinctoria (Blanco)
- Rhizophora conjugata (L.)
- Bruguiera gymnorhiza f. alba ((Stone) Fosberg)
- Bruguiera rheedei (Blume)
- Bruguiera capensis (Blume)
- Rhizophora palun (DC.)
- Bruguiera zippelii (Blume)
- Rhizophora gymnorhiza (L.)
- Bruguiera gymnorhiza var. palun (Blume)
- Bruguiera conjugata f. alba (Stone)
- Bruguiera wightii (Blume)
- Rhizophora rheedei (Steud.)
- Bruguiera zippelii var. oblongifolia (Blume)
- Bruguiera rumphii (Blume)
- Bruguiera conjugata ((L.) Merr.)
Distribution
- Aldabra (native)
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Christmas I. (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Gilbert Is. (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marshall Is. (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Mozambique Channel I (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nauru (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
- Florida (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Bark
Taken Sep 1, 1982 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Leaf
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 1, 1982 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Sep 1, 1998 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7583876)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:719532-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) Lam.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub