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Sonneratia X urama

Common Names

Urama-hybrid Apple Mangrove

Family

Sonneratiaceae

Name ref

Sonneratia X urama N.C.Duke

Origin of Name

Synopsis

Sonneratia X urama is the hybrid of S. alba and S. lanceolata.

Botanical Description

Sonneratia X urama (Urama-hybrid Apple Mangrove) is a spreading tree growing to 20 m in height. It has fissured and flaky grey bark and a simple trunk base. Slender, pointed, cone-shaped pneumatophores grow to 20 cm in height and are occasionally branched.

The leaves are simple, opposite, hairless, elliptic (oval) in shape, pale green, dull above and satiny below. They are 7.5-10.1 cm long and 3.5-5.4 cm wide with a 0.5-1.2 cm long petiole and a rounded or pointed apex.

Flowers are solitary or in pairs. They are 2.9-3.1 cm long and 1.6-1.9 cm wide with 6 green calyx lobes, 6 red petals and numerous white stamens.

The fruit is a globular green berry to 0.6 cm long and 2.8 cm wide with persistent withered style inserted in depressed upper surface and persistent calyx [1].

Distribution

May occur in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia. In Australia it occurs in at least two estuaries in Arnhem Bay, Northern Territory. These are the Goromuru River and the Cato River [1].

Habitat

Often found at the downstream limit of Sonneratia lanceolata and the upstream limit of S. alba. In these locations it is usually found growing on firm silt a the lower intertidal zone, associated with Rhizophora mucronata and Nypa fruticans [1].

Biology

In Australia, flowers have been collected in May and June. Peak fruiting occurs in December and January [1].

Ethnobotany

Similar Species

Sonneratia X urama is uncommon, although its distribution is somewhat predictable, occurring in estuaries where significant overlap of its parents ( S. alba and S. lanceolata) occurs. The predicted range is based on the distribution of the less common parent, S. lanceolata. Sonneratia X urama is distinguised from other Sonneratia species by its white stamens; narrow, ribbon-like, red petals; large round, pale-green leaves with a barely pointed apex; immature fruits with 'collapsed' area around the base of the persistent style; a cup-shaped calyx; and the erect-sided mature fruit with a dull surface. spreading emergent canopy and relatively luxuriant foliage [1].

Notes

Links

Mangrove Watch: http://www.mangrovewatch.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=41&Itemid=300196

References

1. Duke, N.C. (2006). Australia's Mangroves. The authoritative guide to Australia's mangrove plants. University of Queensland, Brisbane.