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plants text index | photo
index
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| mangroves |
| Sonneratia
Sonneratia sp. Family Sonneratiaceae updated Aug 09 Where seen? On our shores, the Perepat (Sonneratia alba) is commonly seen on the seaward side of mangroves, often forming majestic large tall trees. According to Corners, these trees are found in all tropical shores of the Eastern hemisphere from East Africa to the Pacific. There are four species in Malaya. Hybrids among S. alba, S. caseolaris and S. ovata have been found in Brunei and may occur in Malaya. According to Tomlinson, these trees are found from East Africa through Indo-Malaya to tropical Australia and into Micronesia and Melanesia. Typically growing on the seaward fringe. It is sometimes referred to as the firefly mangrove because these insects gather on the trees at night. Features: The flowers open at dusk emitting a smell of sour milk or butter and last only one night. They are pollinated by bats which drink the nectar in the calyx-cup. According to Tomlinson, in Malaysia, several species of nectar-feeding bats are responsible for the pollination of Sonneratia. One of them, Macroglossus minimus is said to be dependent on Sonneratia as its main food source, and this bat has never been recorded away from mangroves. Where bats are uncommon, hawk moths are an alternative visitor. Honeybirds have also been seen drinking this nectar at dawn and at dusk. With conical pneumatophores. The fruits are a large leathery berry seated on a star-like calyx with the seeds embedded in the pulp. No durians without mangroves! According to Tomlinson, a study in west Malaysia found that Durian flowers are pollinated almost entirely by a single species of bat Eonycterus spelaea. This bat roosts primarily in limestone caves and are fast flyers that range up to 50km each night in search of pollen and nectar from a wide variety of plants. Their range include mangroves and Sonneratia species especially S. alba are important sources of food for these bats. Role in the habitat: According to Burkill, the fruits are sought by monkey and the Proboscis monkey lives largely on them and on the leaves. |
 Pulau Semakau, Jan 09  Chek Jawa, Mar 09 |
Sonneratia species on Singapore shores
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Perepat
Sonneratia alba |
Berembang
Sonneratia caseolaris |
Gedabu
Sonneratia ovata |
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Young
leaves are pale green with
faint pink tinge at the leaf 'tip'. |
Young
branches hang down like
those of the weeping willow. |
Leaves
shiny, dark green.
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Petals
white, inconspicuous.
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Petals
red, inconspicuous.
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No
petals.
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Sepals
pinkish or red on the inside.
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Sepals
yellowish green on the inside.
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Sepals
pinkish or red on the inside.
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Calyx
lobes bend backwards
towards the stalk |
Calyx
lobes flat,
spreading out horizontally |
Calyx
lobes clasp the fruit.
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References
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Singapore University Press. 222 pp.|
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