Cedar Mangrove
(Xylocarpus mekongensis)

The Cedar Mangrove is closely related to the Cannonball Mangrove and both are related to the Red Cedar tree of the tropical rainforest. The Cedar Mangrove can grow to about 20 m tall.

Roots: Thick, flat peg type above-ground roots.

Leaves: Dark green leaves which have a thickened base where they meet the stem. This thickening allows the leaves to move to either face or avoid the sun. Being deciduous, this species may appear to be dead or dying during the dry season.

Flowers and Fruit: Small, creamy-pink flowers. Fruits are rounded and approximately the size of an orange. They contain 8 to 16 tightly packed, irregularly-shaped seeds.

Bark: Brown bark with deep cracks (see illustration).

Similar species: The Cannonball Mangrove has similar leaves but it is buttressed at the base with ribbon or plank roots, its fruit is larger and its bark is smooth and pale.

Location: Found on river banks and on the landward edge of marine mangrove forests.