TROPICAL PLANT ENCYCLOPEDIA

Sonneratia ovata, Gedabu, Mangrove Apple

Sonneratia ovata

Gedabu, Mangrove Apple
Family: Lythraceae
Subfamily: Sonneratioidea
Origin: SE Asia
Small tree 10-20 ftFull sunBog or aquatic plantWhite, off-white flowersEdible plantPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsEthnomedical plant.
Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles.
Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Flood tolerant plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant

Formerly the Sonneratia were placed in a family called Sonneratiaceae which included both the Sonneratia and the Duabanga, but these two are now placed in their own monotypic subfamilies of the family Lythraceae.

In Sonneratia species, the pneumatophores are erect side branches of the horizontal roots which grow just below the soil. In Sonneratia, they grow more slowly to become woody and may even reach 3 m in height, though most will be less than 50 cm tall.

Its flowers are ephemeral and open at sunset, lasting for only one night; stamens fall off in the early morning. Bats and nectar-feeding birds are the pollinators.

The fruits are edible, though they taste very sour. The fruit is also applied in poultices to relieve sprain.

It can be used to control erosion of tidal river banks and it is cultivated as an ornamental.


Similar plants:


Sonneratia ovata, Gedabu, Mangrove Apple. Pneumatophores of Sonneratia ovata
Pneumatophores of Sonneratia ovata


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/sonneratia_ovata.htm