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Bakau Putih (Malay)
Bruguiera cylindrica

leaves with flowers and fruitThis tree grows on newly formed ground. Usually on the stiff clay that forms behind Avicennia trees. Unlike some mangroves, however, Bruguiera does not regenerate easily from branch cutting as new growth appears only from branch tips and not the trunk. The kneed pneumatophores comprise a sponge-like system of air chambers and tubes which acts as an air reservoir when the roots are submerged. germinating seedling on treeThe pneumatophores are covered with many lenticels which allow air but not water to enter the root. The seed germinates while still on the mother tree. It forms a short stout stem, with sepals that stick out, away from the seedling.

Uses as food: Young shoots may be eaten as a vegetable or preserved after boiling. In Thailand, the root tips are eaten. The bark may be used as a cooking spice.
Mangrove and wetland wildlife at
Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Main features: Grows up to 20m tall.

Bark: Smooth, grey.

Roots: Kneed pneumatophores with buttress roots.

Leaves: Thin, light green, pointed.

Flowers: small greenish white, petals tipped with little tassels.
flowers
close-up of flowers
Fruits: The seed germinates in the fruit forming a cigar-shaped seedling up to 15cm long. The seedling grows slightly curved and may be purplish. The green/yellow sepals stick out at right angles from the fruit.

Similar trees: B. gymnorhiza has red sepals that clasp the seedling. The seedling grows straight. Flowers are large, red.

Status in Singapore: Among the most common mangroves in Singapore.

World distribution: Southeast Asia to Australia.

Classification: Family Rhizophoraceae. World 6 species.
Other uses: The timber is heavy and tough and used in construction. It is also favoured as firewood and for conversion into charcoal as it produces the most heat among mangrove woods. The bark produces a strange smell that frightens fish away. In fact, essences are extracted by squeezing the pneumatophores, and used to make fragrances.

Traditional medicinal uses: The scrapped skin of the fruit is used to stop bleeding. The leaves are used to control blood pressure (India).

Role in the habitat: See mangrove trees.

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. 101-103: description, habit, photo).
  • Michael Mastaller, "Mangroves: The Forgotten Forest Between Land and Sea", Tropical Press, 1997 (p. 32: about the functions of their pneumatophores; p. 97: uses).
 
By Ria Tan, 2001