Mangroves

Tengar

Ceriops decandra

IUCN: NT

Tengar (Ceriops decandra) is a mangrove of the family Rhizophoraceae 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 10 species of the family Rhizophoraceae. Near Threatened means the species is close to qualifying as threatened globally; healthy habitat such as this site matters for keeping it off the threatened list.

How to recognise it

Form: Small to medium tree, 5–15 m tall, straight trunk, grey-brown bark.
Roots: Small buttresses at the trunk base, formed from modified prop roots.
Leaves: Opposite, elliptic to lance-shaped, 5–10 cm, glossy green, pointed tip, fine black dots underneath.
Flowers: Small clusters of 2–4 flowers in the leaf axils; yellowish-white flowers.
Fruit & seed: Short, straight hypocotyl, 8–12 cm long, greenish brown.

Did you know?

Decandra means “with ten stamens”, which matches its flowers. It often grows with C. tagal but has a shorter propagule. Tengar wood is strong and makes high-quality charcoal.