Avicennia No photo yet
Mangroves
Api-api putih
Avicennia alba
IUCN: LC
Api-api putih (Avicennia alba) is a mangrove of the family Avicenniaceae 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 Avicenniaceae.
How to recognise it
- Form
- Medium to large tree, 8–15 m tall, straight trunk, pale whitish-grey bark.
- Roots
- Dense upright pneumatophores around the tree, for breathing and trapping sediment.
- Leaves
- Opposite, oblong to lance-shaped (8–12 cm), pointed tip; glossy green above, pale silvery white below.
- Flowers
- Short clusters at the twig tips; small sweet-scented yellowish-white flowers.
- Fruit & seed
- Ovate, slightly flattened yellowish-green fruit; the single seed often starts to sprout while still on the tree (cryptovivipary).
Did you know?
Its dense pneumatophores trap sediment and build up land. Coastal communities often use the wood as fuel.
Video from the site
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Avicennia alba
- Indonesian name
- Api-api putih
- Family
- Avicenniaceae
- Group
- Mangroves
Conservation status
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern
Learn more
Other species in the family Avicenniaceae and the same group
- Grey MangroveAvicennia marina
- JerujuAcanthus ilicifolius
- River MangroveAegiceras corniculatum
- Teruntum bunga besarAegiceras floridum
- Tumu-tumuBruguiera cylindrica
- Lindur, tanjangBruguiera gymnorhiza
