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Api Api Bulu (Malay)
Avicennia rumphiana

This tree is identified by its furry fruit and furry leaves (underside). The fur on the leaves conserve water by trapping a layer of insulating air and thus reduce water loss through evaporation.

Uses as food: The seeds are boiled and eaten, in some places, they are sold in markets as vegetables. The fragrant flowers produce nectar and are pollinated by insects. Avicennia produces some of the best honey.

Other uses: This fast growing mangrove tree is among the few used in replanting mangroves to protect coastlines (the others are Sonneratia and Rhizophora). It is rarely used to make charcoal and is used as firewood only to smoke fish or rubber.

Role in the habitat: See mangrove trees.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Grows to 25m.

Roots: pencil-like pneumatophores emerge above ground from long shallow underground roots.

Leaves: Satiny green above, underneath densely furred, yellowish brown.

Flowers: Small, yellow, several together, forming a cross-shaped inflorescence.

Fruits: Woolly flat capsule containing one seed, green to yellowish brown.

Status in Singapore: Common in mangroves on the main island and offshore islands.
 leaves
flowers
fruits
World distribution: Southeast Asia to New Guinea.

Classification: Family Avicenniaceae. World 8 mangrove species.
REFERENCES
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  • Peter K L Ng and N Sivasothi, "A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore I: The Ecosystem and Plant Diversity", Singapore Science Centre, 1999 (p. 100: description, habit, photo; p. 42 uses).
  • Colin Field, "Journey among Mangroves", International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems, 1995 (p. 70: medicinal use; p.116: use in replanting mangroves).
  • Michael Mastaller, "Mangroves: The Forgotten Forest Between Land and Sea", Tropical Press, 1997 (p. 93: as food; p: 102: other uses).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001