Kingdom Plantae Family Rhizophoraceae Scientific name Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Rank Species | Order Malpighiales Genus Bruguiera Higher classification Bruguiera | |
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Similar Bruguiera, Mangroves, Rhizophora, Ceriops, Sonneratia | ||
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (black mangrove, Afrikaans: Swart-wortelboom, Xhosa: Isikhangati, Zulu: Isihlobane) is a small tree up to 10 m high that belongs to the family Rhizophoraceae. It is found on the seaward side of mangrove swamps, often in the company of Rhizophora. Its bark is rough and reddish brown. The tree develops short prop-roots rather than long stilt-roots. Flowers are creamy white soon turning brown. The sepals are persistent, narrow and slightly tapered. When mature, the spindle-shaped fruits drop and become embedded in the mud in an upright position, where they rapidly develop roots.
The black mangrove is a protected tree in South Africa.
Uses
In the Maldives this mangrove is known as kaṇḍū. The propagules or green pods are eaten as a cooked vegetable. They are peeled first and then boiled, the water being discarded and renewed at least four times. The propagules of this species are more appreciated than those of Bruguiera cylindrica.
