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Cerbera manghas L.

Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Synonyms:	Cerbera odollam auct. non Gaertn., Cerbera lactaria auct. non Buch.-Ham. ex Spreng. Odollamia manghas (L.) Raf., Tanghinia manghas (L.) G.Don.
Common Name:	Sea Mango, Pong pong Tree, Pokok Pong Pong, Sea Pong Pong, Pink-eyed Cerbera, Buta Buta, Nyan, Pink-eyed Pong Pong Tree, Tanghin Poison, 海杧果

Cerbera manghas, also known as the Sea Mango, is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 m in height. Its pure white flowers are accentuated with a pinkish-red centre and have a mild fragrance. This species is native to Singapore and can be found in the coastal forests of Pulau Semakau and St John’s Island

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Butterfly Host Plant

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Suitable for Roadsides

Fragrant Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Medium (16m-30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Rounded, Oval
Maximum Height	20 m
Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter	0.6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	From the Seychelles through eastern Asia and throughout Malesia (including Singapore) to the Pacific islands and northern Australia.
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Coastal Forest), Shoreline (Mangrove Forest, Sandy Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a small evergreen tree with round to oval crown, up to 20 m tall. All parts of the plant exude white, milky latex when cut.
Crown	Its crown is rounded or oval in shape.
Trunk	Its bark is grey and fissured.

Foliage	Its stalked, spirally arranged leaves are simple, elliptic to obovate in shape, 5 - 31 cm long and 1 - 7 cm wide, with a distinct drip tip.
Flowers	Its fragrant flowers are salverform, about 6 cm wide, having 5 white lobes attached to a long tube that is 2.5 - 4.5 cm long. The lobes are perpendicular to the tube. The centre of the flower is initially orange-pink, but becomes red to purple with age. Several flowers are arranged together in terminal inflorescences known as cymes.
Fruit	Its fruit is large and shaped like an egg or mango, about 5 - 12 cm long. It is hard, shiny and smooth, ripening to red at maturity. The outer part of the fruit is fleshy, while the inner part is fibrous. It is classified as a drupe, because it holds a hard stony pit that contains the seed.
Habitat	It grows in coastal forests, and mangrove areas with freshwater input. It occurs locally at Pulau Semakau, Pulau Ubin and St. John's Island.
Similar	It resembles another congeneric species, Cerbera odollam, and can be readily told apart by the yellow-centred flowers.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are pollinated by insects. It is the caterpillar host-plant of the King Crow butterfly (Euploea phaenareta castelnaui).
Cultivation	It can be propagate by seed or stem cuttings. The plant should be cultivated in sandy soil with good drainage and high humus content. This species is tolerant of salt spray and saline soils.
Etymology	Latin Cerbera, after Cerberus, a three-headed dog in Greek and Roman mythology that prevents spirits from escaping Hades, probably referring to the poisonous qualities of the plant. Latin manghas, derived from the Portugese word "manga" which means mango, referring to the mango-shaped fruit.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Medicinal: The leaves and fruits contain cerberin, a toxic chemical that can be fatal if consumed. Some individuals in Samoa use the fruit as a laxative and a component of medicines that are applied externally. The roots and bark can also be used to make a laxative. Timber & Products: The wood may be burned to form a high quality charcoal. It can also be used for carvings and furniture. Others: In the past, hunters used the latex sap to poison animals. In the Philippines, the toxic seeds are used to stun fish, so they can be easily collected with a net. Oil extracted from the seeds can be used to make candles.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping	It is suitable for planting along streetscapes, parks, gardens and coastal areas for its attractive, white flowers. The compact, round to oval crown provides a neat structural form for formal gardens. The plant is hardy, and is tolerant of hot and high wind environments and saline soils.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant (Flowers)
Landscape Uses	Coastal, General, Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Beachfront / Shoreline, Shade Providing Tree / Palm

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Butterfly Host Plant (Leaves, Associated with: Euploea phaenareta castelnaui (C & R Felder, 1865))
Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic (Water)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Fertile Loamy Soils
Maintenance Requirements	Moderate
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery, Papery

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Spiral, Opposite
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Caudate
Foliar Base	Acute
Typical Foliar Area	Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio	4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	White, Red
Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence

Flower Location	Terminal
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Individual Flower Shape	Salverform
Inflorescence Type	Cyme

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Red
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Glossy / Shiny
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type

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Master ID	1506
Species ID	2799
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.