Jeruju

Acanthus ilicifolius

IUCN: LC

Jeruju (Acanthus ilicifolius) is a mangrove of the family Acanthaceae recorded in the biodiversity data of PRPM Mengare.

It is one of 22 species in the group “Mangroves” recorded at the site.

How to recognise it

Form: Upright shrub, 1–2 m tall, growing in clumps at the mangrove edge.
Roots: No special aerial roots, though short prop roots sometimes grow from the stem base.
Leaves: Opposite, oblong to lance-shaped, glossy dark green, pointed tip, edges toothed like spines.
Flowers: Upright spikes at the stem tips; flowers bluish purple.
Fruit & seed: Capsule with 2–4 seeds, thrown out when the capsule bursts.

Did you know?

The leaves are used in traditional medicine for coughs, asthma and rheumatism, and are now also made into herbal tea. The ripe seeds pop out, which helps the plant form dense clumps along the mangrove edge.