Rhizophora apiculata

rdf:langString Rhizophora apiculata

rdf:langString Rhizophora

rdf:langString apiculata

rdf:langString LC

rdf:langString IUCN3.1

rdf:langString Rhizophora apiculata (R. apiculata) belongs to the Plantae kingdom under the Rhizophoraceae family. Currently R. apiculata is distributed throughout Australia (Queensland and Northern Territory), Guam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Maldives, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam. Rhizophora apiculata is called ‘bakhaw lalaki,’ in the Philippines, "Thakafathi ތަކަފަތި" in the Maldives, 'Đước' in Vietnam, Garjan in India, as well as other vernacular names. R. apiculata has a C4 plant morphology that best adapts the plant for high temperature low water climates, enabling the plant to thrive in tropical environments due to the diffuse CO2 whilst limiting the amount of water transpired out of the leaves. It's located exclusively in the mangrove ecosystem due to an affinity with wet, muddy and silty sediments. Due to the high salt concentrations of the soils it has mechanisms (ultrafiltration) in place to reduce the likely impacts associated with increased salt in plant physiology (drying plant material down causing increased evapotranspiration). Rhizophora apiculata, as well as Rhizophora mucronata, is used to make charcoal in the charcoal kilns of Kuala Sepetang in Perak, Malaysia. Rhizophora apiculata is used within mangrove plantation specifically for wood, and charcoal production in many parts of Thailand; Yeesarn village of Smaut Songkram Province for instance. There are a variety of alternative uses for R. apiculata including medically (to inhibit fungal infections), and commercially to reinforce nets, ropes and fishing lines, transform into charcoal or trade for income.