Botanical Name: Lumnitzera racemose
Family: Combretaceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Genus: Lumnitzera
Species: L. racemosa
Synonyms:
*Bruguiera madagascariensis DC.
*B. obtusa Steud.
*Funckia karakandel Dennst.
*Jussiaea racemosa Rottler ex DC.
*Laguncularia rosea Gaudich.
*Petaloma alba Blanco
*P albiflora Zipp. ex Span.
*Pokornya ettingshausenii Montrouz.
*Problastes cuneifolia Reinw.
*Rhizophora obtusa Dennst.
Common Names:Kripa/ Kripal, White-flowered black mangrove
Habitat:
Lumnitzera racemose is native from KwaZulu-Natal to southeast Kenya in the western Indian Ocean, tropical & subtropical Asia to the western Pacific. Its range includes KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Aldabra, Seychelles, Chagos Archipelago, Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, southeast China, Hainan, Taiwan, Nansei-shoto, Korea, South China Sea, Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. In Mozambique it is one of only ten mangrove species.) It grows in the higher part of the intertidal zone and is found both on beaches and lining the banks of creeks. It is a fast-growing, pioneering species.
Description:
Lumnitzera racemosa is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, growing to a maximum height of 37 m (121 ft). It develops pneumatophores and often has stilt roots. The leaves are arranged spirally at the tips of the shoots; they are simple and obovate, with slightly toothed margins. The inflorescences grow in short spikes in the axils of the leaves or at the tips of the shoots. The flowers are small and white, and are followed by woody, flattened fruits containing a single seed.
Cultivation:
A plant of the moist lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 70 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 – 28°c, but can tolerate 15 – 32°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 – 2,000mm, but tolerates up to 4,000mm. When growing in the mangrove swamps, and subject to periodic inundation, it can survive on an annual rainfall of just 100mm.
Requires a sunny position. Grows best in a fertile, clay soil. Tolerant of quite high levels of salt in the soil. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 – 7, tolerating 6 – 7.5.
Propagation: Through seeds.
Edible Uses: Not known to us.
Medicinal Uses:
Local people uses the bark & leaves for different medicinal uses but no scientific data is still found.
Other uses:
The bark is a source of tannins.
The wood is strong and very durable. It is used for many purposes.
The timber of Lumnitzera racemosa is strong and durable and has many uses, including bridge construction. The wood is highly favoured for charcoal making in Cambodia. The bark is harvested for the tannins it contains.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lumnitzera_racemosa
http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Lumnitzera+racemosa
