Sonneratia ovata

Sonneratia ovata
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Lythraceae
Subfamily:	Sonneratioideae
Genus:	Sonneratia
Species:	S. ovata
Binomial name
Sonneratia ovata Backer[2]

Sonneratia ovata is a mangrove tree in the family Lythraceae. The specific epithet ovata is from the Latin meaning "oval", referring to the shape of the leaf.^[3]

Description

Sonneratia ovata grows up to 20 metres (70 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 20 centimetres (8 in). The grey bark is smooth to fissured bark. The calyx is cup-shaped with its inner surface reddish at the base. The fruits, dark green when young and ripening to yellowish green, measure up to 7 cm (3 in) long.^[3]

Distribution and habitat

Sonneratia ovata grows naturally from southern China (Hainan) to Indochina, Malesia, Palau, New Guinea and Australia.^[1][3] Its habitat is on tidal river banks and on muddy soils subject to spring tides.^[3]

Uses

The mature fruit is eaten in Sarawak.^[3]

References

1. 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 ovata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Version 2014.3. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
2. "Sonneratia ovata Backer". The Plant List. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
3. Bojo, Othman (1995). "Sonneratia ovata Backer" (PDF). In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M. Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. pp. 450–451. ISBN 983-9592-34-3. Retrieved 28 March 2015.