Navigation path
Yellow mangrove
-
Yellow mangroves are so called because of their yellow-green leaves.
Ceriops tagal var. australis (yellow mangrove) is a member of the family Rhizophoraceae. It is found throughout the Indo-Pacific region and is distributed across northern Australia extending south to the Tweed River on the east coast and to Broome in Western Australia.
This species is commonly found on firm, peaty, well-drained clays, clayey mud or sand clays at the upper tidal limit of the mangrove shore. Here, infrequent tidal inundation aids in accumulating leaves and twigs which decompose to form peat.
Yellow mangroves also grow in soils that are poorly drained and frequently inundated by the tides, where it forms low, open shrub lands.
Description
This species can grow from a shrub of half to one meter to a small slender tree of two to seven meters high.
The bark is yellowish or light brown to grey and is roughened by corky lenticels (air pores) along the trunk.
The base of the tree is buttressed (a distinguishing feature) and leaves are yellow-green with dark green in shaded areas.
Leaves grow to 7 cm long and 4 cm wide, are oval-shaped with a notched tip and are slightly curled under at the edges. They are arranged opposite one another in groups at the ends of branchlets.
Flowers are white, about 6mm long and appear in pairs at the base of the leaves.
-
- Buttressed trunks are a distinguishing feature of the yellow mangrove.
Flowering and fruiting
Flowering occurs between September and December. Flowers open in the late afternoon and are pollinated by night-flying insects such as moths.
Brown, pear-shaped fruit, 10 to 12 mm long appear between December and January. A smooth, tapered, cylindrical propagule of 10 to 15 cm length protrudes through the fruit wall and is suspended vertically beneath the fruit. This propagule often takes on a reddish colour as it matures until it is shed into the water with the fruit.
Salt tolerance
This species excludes salts through its roots as water is taken up.
Uses
The timber of the yellow mangrove is tough and dark brown. It can be used as a tanning agent, dye, and in medicines. It has substantial value as fisheries and wildlife habitats.
Related information
- Grey mangrove
- Red mangrove
- River mangrove
- Orange mangrove
- Milky mangrove
- Protection and management
- Saltmarsh, seagrass and algae
- Field guide to the common saltmarsh plants of Queensland
- Fisheries development
Page maintained by Rebecca Batton and Dawn Couchman
Last reviewed 08 August 2007
