Quick Facts
common name :
Punkanda, Rathugas, Chirukandal
Scientific Name :
Ceriops tagal
Kingdom :
Plantae}
Clade :
Angiosperms Eudicots Rosids
Order :
Malpighiales
Family :
Rhizophoraceae
Genus :
Ceriops
Species :
C. tagal
Conservation Status :
3
Type of Mangrove :
True mangrove
Type of Roots :
Thin stilt roots.
General Characters
Shrub or small tree , Height between 3-5m.
Other Characters
Tree conical in shape, cylindrical long hanging fruit . Prefer well drained sandy substratum. Mainly found in lagoon fringing mangals. Common mangrove species. In some mangals Ceriops form a very thick single species zone. (eg: Rekawa mangal in the south coast) Bark: Reddish brown.
Features of Flower
Inflorescence : branched umbel with 3-4 flowers, Petals:5-6, white, emarginated, Calyx: 5 lobed, greenish yellow Size: 1cm diameter Seed type: viviparous.
Features of Fruits
Size: diameter 2-3cm, length 25-30cm Colour: brownish green Surface: rough, ridged, cotyledonary body reddish when ripe and ready to fall.
Leaf Arrangment
Simple, opposite Blade: ovate-oblong Apex: rounded Size: 4-8cm long
Distribution
Prefer well drained sandy substratum.Mainly found in lagoon fringing mangals.In some mangals Ceriops from a very thick single species stand (Rekawa mangal in the South coast0
Range
coasts from eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands to the Indian and from there through tropical Asia to Australia and the Pacific. In Africa it extends as far north as the gulf . In eastern Africa it occurs along the coast of Eritrea south to Kosi Bay in South Africa, Maputo Bay in southern Mozambique and it also occurs in the Indian Ocean Islands.
Type of Roots
Thin stilt roots.
IUCN Red List Status
