Bruguiera gymnorhiza 木欖
Bruguiera (木欖) with dropper(s), Family Rhizophoraceae [See Mangrove page]
Many-petaled mangrove Mai Po 9.2005 (below 2 photos)
Viviparity (胎生苗) - the seed germinates on the parent plant before detachment. (媽媽照顧好) In fact, the seedling becomes a " dropper ", which is an agent of dispersal and colonisation. In the photograph, the dropper has not yet been well formed while the calyx (protective leaves of the flower) that consists of over 10 sepals, are distinctly seen. (The many petals are hidden in this photograph). Flower buds and newly opened flowers can be observed. It bears fruit all year round.
The red color is due to a chemical called tannin.單寧酸
Botanical notes : Flowering period : all year round. Leaf : ovate, hard and waxy on the upper epidermis, with water storing tissues.
Hoi ha wan Mar 2008
Flowers at the bud stage. Leaves elliptical and pointed.
The multiple sepals can be clearly seen. Though the English common name is many-petaled mangrove,
it refers to the " many petals " enclosed by the external ring of many-sepals.
[ Tung chung, 5.2010 ]
[ Hoi ha wan ]
Growing young dropper.
A botanic wonder that pleases the eyes.
The natural world is full of artistic creations that humans can never surpass.
In bright light, the red colour of the sepals is more pronounced.
[ Below : Tung chung, 5.2010 ]
A Bruguiera dropper is less conical (more cylindrical ; darker green)
than a Kandelia dropper.
When a dropper roots on soil, it will develop into a new mangrove (plant).
The apex of the plant.
Adaptations 適應
How does Bruguiera obtain extra oxygen when its roots are covered by anaerobic mud ?
Some of its roots bulge into air as if it is growing away from mud into air before returning to mud again.
This structural feature is called a " knee - joint ".
The exposed part facilitates gas exchange.
How can Bruguiera stabilise itself on a mudflat ?
It has prop roots which anchor the young stem on shaky ground.
Prop roots arise laterally from the stem near the ground region.
