FoI
Apple Mangrove
Share Foto info
Apple Mangrove
ative Photo: Asokan Mash
Common name: Apple Mangrove, Crabapple mangrove • Kannada: ಅರ್ಚಕ Archaka ಕಂದಾಲೆ Kandaale • Malayalam: Blatti, Chakkarakandal, Puzhamunja, Thirala
Botanical name: Sonneratia caseolaris    Family: Lythraceae (Crape Myrtle family)
Synonyms: Sonneratia obovata, Sonneratia ovalis

Apple mangrove is a small evergree tree, upto 8 m tall. Branches are horizontal, twig slender. Leaves are about 7 cm long, rounded and opposite each other on the branches. The tips of the leaves are slightly turned under. Sonneratia alba has white flowers while Sonneratia caseolaris has red flowers. Sepal tube is green with 6 valvular lobes. There are 6 red petals, which are overshadowed by long showy, numerous stamens, which are white, but reddish at the base. Flowers only open for one night and have an offensive smell. The fruit is large, about 4 cm across, green, leathery berries with a star-shaped base. When ripe, the fruits are eaten raw or cooked. Apple Mangrove is found in Indo-Malesia and Australia. In India it is found in Western Ghats.
Medicinal uses: Fermented fruit juice is said to be useful in arresting haemorrhage. The wall of an old fruit is given as a vermifuge. The juice of half-ripe fruit is used to treat coughs. The juice of the flowers enters into a compound for treating blood in the urine.

Identification credit: Asokan Mash Photographed in Kollam,Kerala.

• Is this flower misidentified? If yes,