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Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco
| Family Name: | Primulaceae |
| Synonyms: | Aegiceras fragrans König, Aegiceras majus Gaertn., Aegiceras malaspinaea A. DC |
| Common Name: | River Mangrove, Kacang Kacang, Narikandam, Vethilikanna, 蜡烛果, 桐花树 |
Aegiceras corniculatum or River Mangrove is a short tree or shrub that grows to 6 m tall. It has elliptic to spoon-shaped leaves, pointed white flower buds which bloom into fragrant, 5-petalled, tubular flowers. The fruit is a crescent-shaped, single-seeded capsule which resembles a chili.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m)), Aquatic & Hydrophyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southeast China to Tropical Asia and North Australia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Shoreline (Mangrove Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Endangered (EN)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a low evergreen tree or shrub with multiple stems up to 6 m tall. The tree has smooth, greyish bark with lenticels and roots that run along the soil surface. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are leathery, elliptic to spoon-shaped, measuring 4 - 11 cm long by 3 - 6 cm wide. The midrib is prominent below, tinged with red. Salt crystals are often encrusted on the leaf surface. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne in an inflorescence, found on both the tips of branches or at the leafless axils. At the budding stage, the flowers buds are white and pointed. The open flowers are fragrant, tubular, 5-petalled, dense hairs can be found at the mouth of the tube. |
| Fruit | The fruit is a crescent-shaped, single-seeded capsule between 5 - 8 cm long resembling a chili. The seed germinates within the fruit while attached to the parent tree. |
| Habitat | Occurs in littoral muddy swamps and in mangrove forest. <1&3> |
| Associated Fauna | Its flowers are pollinated by insects. It is the preferred local food plant for caterpillars of the moths, Anarsia species, Archips species, Darna trima, Gonodontis clelia; Phyllocnistis species and Zeuzera conferta. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by the propagules. Propagules that are fully developed on the parent tree can be removed and planted directly into potting media. |
| Etymology | Greek aix, goat; Greek keras, horn, referring to the fruit’s resemblance to a goat’s horn; Latin corniculatus, curved like a horn, referring to the shape of the curved fruits of this species |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The leaves were eaten raw or cooked by the poor in the Moluccas in the past. Medicinal: Scientific Evidence of Medicinal Properties Based on research on the effects of River Mangrove on animals, it has these medicinal properties: antioxidant and anti-inflammation. <2> Traditional Medicinal Uses In Asia countries like Bangladesh, River Mangrove is used in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and rheumatism. <4> It is important to note that some therapeutic effects from traditional medicinal uses of plants are currently not supported or verified by scientific research. Timber & Products: The wood is used as firewood. Others: Women wear the sweetly fragrant flowers as hair ornaments. The bark and seeds contain aegiceras-saponin and is employed as a fish poison. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It may be suitable as a marsh plant for the edges of ponds for its attractive drop-shaped leaves and sweetly fragrant flowers. It is a rather slow-growing tree which needs minimal maintenance. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits, Fragrant |
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Pond / Lake / River, Marsh / Bog |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden, Water Garden, Marsh Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Caterpillar Moth Food Plant |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate to Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils (Does not Drain Site) |
| Propagation Method | Viviparious Propagule |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Obovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Rounded, Emarginate |
| Foliar Base | Cuneate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Inflorescence Type | Umbel |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
References
| References | <1> Larsen, K. & Hu, C-M. (1996) Aegiceras. In: Larsen, K. & Hu, C-M., Myrsinaceae. Flora of Thailand, 6(2): 176−178. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. <3> Tomlinson, P.B. (2016) Aegiceras. The Botany of Mangroves (Second Edition): 302-307. New York: Cambridge University Press. <4> Uddin, S.J., Grice, I.D. & Tiralongo, E. (2011). Cytotoxic effects of Bangladeshi Medicinal Plant Extracts. Evidence-Based complementary and Alternative Medicine: 1-7. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31049 |
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| Species ID | 5436 |
| 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. |