Rubbertree (Cerbera manghas, Sp. Pl.: 208 (1753))

Family: Apocynaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 208 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cerbera

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Tanzania (Pemba), W. Indian Ocean to Pacific

Description

The Rubbertree, scientifically known as Cerbera manghas, is a prominent species that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. First documented by the distinguished botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1753, this tree has garnered significant attention due to its widespread presence and notable characteristics.

Originating and thriving in diverse geographic regions, the Rubbertree is commonly found in the coastal areas of Tanzania, specifically in Pemba, and stretches its habitat across the western Indian Ocean all the way to the Pacific. This broad distribution indicates the tree’s adaptability to various climatic conditions and its resilience in different environmental settings.

The Rubbertree is well-known for its distinctive appearance. Typically, it showcases robust, elongated leaves that contribute to its lush, green foliage. The tree produces fragrant white flowers that are visually striking and attract numerous pollinators, playing a crucial role in the local ecosystems where it grows. The fruit of the Rubbertree is equally interesting, often containing seeds that have traditional uses in various cultures.

Cerbera manghas is not just noteworthy for its ecological role but also for its importance in traditional medicine and other cultural practices. Despite its name, the Rubbertree should not be confused with rubber-producing plants; rather, its name possibly hints at some aspect of its physical characteristics or historical usages.

In summary, the Rubbertree (Cerbera manghas) is a significant member of the Apocynaceae family, with a rich history cataloged since 1753. Its presence from the coasts of Tanzania to the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean illustrates its vital role in biodiversity and its intricate connection with human culture across its range.

Common Names

Msa: buta-buta, pongpong, bentan, bintaru
Eng: madagascar ordeal-bean, beach milkwood, dogbane, dogbone, grey milkwood, pink-eyed cerbera, reva, rubbertree, sea-mango
Swe: klippmangrove
En: Rubbertree, Beach milkwood, Madagascar ordeal-bean, Grey milkwood, Pink-eyed cerbera, Sea-mango, Dogbane, Dogbone, Bungkak, Reva
Zh: Hai mang guo, 海檬果, 海芒果
Fi: Madagaskarinsurmanpuu
Fr: Faux manguier
Id: Bintaro
Ja: Mifukuragi
Jv: Bintaro
Ms: Bintaru, Bentan, Buta-buta, Pongpong
Ru: Цербера мангас
Sv: Klippmangrove
Zh-tw: 海檬果
Th: ตีนเป็ดทราย
Zh-hant: 海檬果

Synonyms

• Tanghinia veneneflua (G.Don)
• Tanghinia venenifera (Poir.)
• Tabernaemontana obtusifolia (Poir.)
• Cerbera manghas var. samoensis (Hochr.)
• Cerbera odollam var. mugfordii (F.M.Bailey)
• Cerbera manghas var. mugfordii ((F.M.Bailey) Domin)
• Cerbera venenifera ((Poir.) Steud.)
• Tanghinia manghas ((L.) G.Don)
• Elcana seminuda (Blanco)
• Cerbera tanghin (Hook.)
• Cerbera linnaei (Montrouz.)
• Odollamia manghas ((L.) Raf.)
• Odollamia moluca (Raf.)
• Cerbera manghas var. acutisperma (Boiteau)
• Cerbera manghas f. luteola (Boiteau)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Christmas I. (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nauru (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Pitcairn Is. (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Santa Cruz Is. (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Tuamotu (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• Chagos Archipelago (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.

Fruit

Taken Dec 4, 2020 by Patrick Estieux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2021 by mila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Quentin SPRIET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by estelle gaudin (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 5, 2020 by Knut Sierotzki (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 7, 2019 by manu kasa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Blue Bottle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2019 by NC GlenGrB (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2019 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Zoé Thivet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2021 by Fr Viant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Quentin SPRIET (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2020 by Knut Sierotzki (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 4, 2019 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Yathish Rao (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 17, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 2, 2020 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 21, 2018 by Coordination Endemia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 24, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Zoé Thivet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Quentin SPRIET (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7155766)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77906-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerbera manghas L.)

Specifications

Growth