Sonneratia alba

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids II
Ordo: Myrtales

Familia: Lythraceae
Genus: Sonneratia
Species: Sonneratia alba
Name

Sonneratia alba Sm.
References

A. Rees, Cycl. 33: Sonneratia no. 2. 1816
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Sonneratia alba in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 28-Oct-07.

Sonneratia alba is a mangrove tree in the family Lythraceae. The specific epithet alba is from the Latin meaning "white", referring to the flowers.[4]
Flower

Description

S. alba grows up to 40 m (130 ft) tall with a trunk diameter up to 70 cm (30 in). The cracked to fissured bark is brownish, turning grey below the tidal mark. The flowers are white, with pink at their base. The dark green fruits measure up to 5 cm (2 in) long.[4]
Distribution and habitat

S. alba grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical areas from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia, and the Western Pacific region.[3][4] Its habitat is sheltered, sandy seashores and tidal creeks.[4]
Uses

In Borneo, S. alba is used as firewood. In Sulawesi, the wood is used in the construction of houses and ships.[4] In Malaysia and Indonesia, the sour fruits are used to flavor fish, and are sometimes eaten raw. The leaves are also eaten raw or cooked.[5]
References

Kathiresan, K.; Salmo III, S.G.; Fernando, E.S.; Peras, J.R.; Sukardjo, S.; Miyagi, T.; Ellison, J.; Koedam, N.E.; Wang, Y.; Primavera, J.; Jin Eong, O.; Wan-Hong Yong, J.; Ngoc Nam, V. (2010). "Sonneratia alba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T178804A7611432. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T178804A7611432.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
"Sonneratia alba Sm". The Plant List. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
"Sonneratia alba". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 22 March 2015.
Bojo, Othman (1995). "Sonneratia alba J. Smith" (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. p. 449. ISBN 983-9592-34-3. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
"Perepat (Sonneratia alba) on the Shores of Singapore". www.wildsingapore.com. Retrieved 3 February 2021.