Mangroves

Nyirih bunga

Xylocarpus moluccensis

IUCN: LC

Nyirih bunga (Xylocarpus moluccensis) is a mangrove of the family Meliaceae 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 Meliaceae.

How to recognise it

Form: Small to medium tree, 8–15 m tall, many-branched, grey to whitish-brown bark, sometimes peeling.
Roots: Wide buttress roots at the trunk base for support in muddy ground.
Leaves: Pinnate leaves with 2–4 pairs of leaflets; leaflets elliptic to oblong, 5–10 cm, glossy green, rounded or slightly pointed tip.
Flowers: Small clusters in the leaf axils; fragrant yellowish-white flowers about 0.5 cm across.
Fruit & seed: Round, ball-like fruit 7–15 cm across that splits into four when ripe, holding 4–8 large brown seeds.

Did you know?

It is called the “cannonball mangrove” because its hard round fruit looks like a cannonball. When ripe, the fruit splits and releases large seeds that float and travel far on the tide. The wood is fairly strong and sometimes used for light building.