Avicennia is a genus of flowering plants currently placed in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae. It contains mangrovetrees, which occur in the intertidal zones of estuarine areas and are characterized by aerial roots. It is commonly known as api api which in the Malay language means "fires", a reference to the fact that fireflies often congregate on these trees. Species of Avicennia occur worldwide south of the Tropic of Cancer.
The taxonomic placement of Avicennia is contentious. In some classifications it has been placed in the family Verbenaceae, but more recently has been placed by some botanists in the monogeneric family Avicenniaceae. Recent phylogenetic studies have suggested that Avicennia is derived from within Acanthaceae, and the genus is included in that family in the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system.
Designation of species is made difficult by the great variations in form of Avicennia marina. Between eight and ten species are usually recognised, with Avicennia marina further divided into a number of subspecies.
The generic name honours Persian physician Avicenna (980-1037).
Avicennia garden plants
Description
Members of the genus are among the most salt tolerant mangroves and are often the first to colonise new deposits of sediment. The sap is salty and excess salt is secreted through the leaves. The spreading root system provides stability in shifting substrates. There are vertical roots called pneumatophores projecting from the mud. These are used in gas exchange as there is very little oxygen available in the mud. The flowers are fragrant and rich in nectar and are pollinated by insects. The embryos exhibit cryptovivipary, a process where they start to develop before the seed is shed but do not break through the outside of the fruit capsule.
List of species
Avicennia africana P.Beauv. synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia alba Blume synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
Avicennia alba var. latifolia Moldenke synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
Avicennia balanophora Stapf & Moldenke
Avicennia bicolor Standl.
Avicennia elliptica Thunb. synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia elliptica var. martii Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia eucalyptifolia (Valeton) Zipp. ex Moldenke synonym of Avicennia marina subsp. eucalyptifolia (Valeton) J.Everett
Avicennia floridana Gand. synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia floridana Raf. synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans f. aberrans Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans f. brasiliensis Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans var. cumanensis (Kunth) Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans var. germinans synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans var. guayaquilensis (Kunth) Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia germinans f. venezuelensis Moldenke synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia integra N.C.Duke
Avicennia intermedia Griff. synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh..
Avicennia lamarckiana C.Presl synonym of Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Avicennia lanata Ridl. synonym of Avicennia marina var. rumphiana (Hallier f.) Bakh.
Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
Avicennia marina var. alba (Blume) Bakh. synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh..
Avicennia marina f. angustata Moldenke synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh..
Avicennia marina var. anomala Moldenke synonym of Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh..
