Mangroves

River Mangrove

Aegiceras corniculatum

IUCN: LC

River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum) is a mangrove of the family Primulaceae recorded in the biodiversity data of PRPM Mengare.

It is one of 22 species in the group “Mangroves” recorded at the site, and one of 2 species of the family Primulaceae.

How to recognise it

Form: Large shrub to small tree, 2–7 m tall, with densely branched stems.
Roots: No special aerial roots; shallow side roots spread through mud or sand.
Leaves: Opposite, elliptic to oblong, 4–10 cm, glossy green, rounded or shortly pointed tip.
Flowers: Short clusters in the leaf axils; small fragrant white to yellowish-green flowers.
Fruit & seed: A distinctive curved, horn-like fruit (corniculatum means “horn-shaped”), 2–5 cm long, with one seed carried by the tide.

Did you know?

The sickle-shaped fruit makes it easy to recognise in the field. Its fragrant flowers draw bees and other pollinators. It grows on tidal riverbanks and estuaries and helps hold the mud in place.