SafePlants

Ceriops: Mangrove Marvels

The genus Ceriops comprises a group of mangroves belonging to the family Rhizophoraceae. These trees are adapted to thrive in harsh coastal environments, playing a crucial role in shoreline protection and coastal ecosystems.

Considerations for Pets

• Some Ceriops species are reported to have been traditionally used for tanning. Pets should not ingest.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Genus: Ceriops Arn. (1838)
• Family: Rhizophoraceae R.Br.
• Phylum/Division: Magnoliophyta
• Class: Eudicots
• Order: Malpighiales
• Key Species:
  • Ceriops tagal
  • Ceriops decandra
  • Ceriops zippeliana
  • Ceriops australis

Ceriops is an Indo-West Pacific genus within the pantropic family Rhizophoraceae, which includes approximately 16 genera and 120 species.

Species Spotlight:

• Ceriops tagal:
  • Common Names: Tengar, Yellow Mangrove, Indian Mangrove
  • Synonyms: Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Robinson, Ceriops tagal C.B.Rob.
  • Taxonomic Rank: Varieties include Ceriops tagal var. australis C.T.White
• Ceriops decandra:
  • Scientific Name: Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
  • Species Authority: (Griff.) Ding Hou
  • Common Names: Chiru kandal (Tamil), Gatharu (Telugu), Flat-Leaved Spurred Mangrove
  • Synonyms: Ceriops candolleana Arn.
• Ceriops zippeliana:
  • Scientific Name: Ceriops zippeliana Blume
  • Species Authority: Blume

Distribution and Habitat

• Ceriops species are widespread in coastal areas from eastern Africa and the Indian Ocean islands to India, Asia, and Australia.
• Specific locations include: Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, China, Taiwan, India (including Nicobar and Andaman Islands), and northern Australia.
• They are commonly found in downstream to intermediate estuarine zones in the mid to high intertidal region.
• Ceriops can tolerate high salinity levels, up to 80.
• These mangroves often prefer clay substrates and may coexist with other mangrove species like Rhizophora and Sonneratia.

Quirky Facts

• The specific epithet "decandra" is derived from Greek, meaning "ten male."
• Ceriops tagal has a flattened knife-like stipule (leaf bud at the tip of a branch).

Morphological Characteristics

• Ceriops australis is known for its smooth hypocotyls.
• Ceriops tagal has thick, rounded-tipped leaves with a "plasticky" appearance.

Ecology and Interactions

• Ceriops plays a vital role in mangrove ecosystems, often dominating mangrove forests alongside other genera such as Rhizophora and Sonneratia.
• Studies have been conducted to understand the salt tolerance of young Ceriops tagal plants.
• Research explores the reproductive ecology of mangrove trees, including Ceriops decandra.
• Scientists have studied the genetic diversity of Ceriops tagal using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers.

Traditional Uses

• The wood of Ceriops tagal is used for timber and is known for its resistance to rot and wood-boring organisms.
• Historically, some Ceriops species have been used as a source for tanning.

Chemical Composition and Bioactivity

• Research has identified dolabrane-type diterpenes in Ceriops tagal, which exhibit antitumor properties.
• Studies have investigated the antifungal and larvicidal phytochemical compounds present in leaf extracts of Ceriops.
• New dolabranes, tagalsins V–W, along with known terpenes, have been isolated from the aerial parts of Ceriops tagal.

Further Resources

• Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) database
• The Plant List
• International Plant Names Index