Sonneratia ovata | |
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In Raja Ampat, Indonesia | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Lythraceae |
Genus: | Sonneratia |
Species: | S. ovata
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Binomial name | |
Sonneratia ovata |
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]
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]
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]
The mature fruit is eaten in Sarawak. [3]