Sonneratia L.f.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology Leaves

Leaves leathery, coriaceous

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx-lobes and petals 6–8

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens many, in several rows

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary adnate to the tube of the calyx towards its base, many-celled

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a berry

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds curved, angular, with a thick testa.

Distribution

Nine species from eastern Africa to the western Pacific.

Ecology

Mangrove vegetation

Timothy M. A. Utteridge and Laura V. S. Jennings (2022). Trees of New Guinea. Kew Publishing. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Distribution

A genus of five species with a distribution from east Africa to Malesia, northern Australia and the western Pacific, with three species in New Guinea and two in the Solomon Islands.

Morphology General Habit

Mangrove and estuarine trees to 20 m tall with pneumatophores and long horizontal roots

Morphology Leaves

Leaves opposite, elliptic, obovate to suborbicular, coriaceous, rounded (rarely acute) at the apex, veins inconspicuous or pinnate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences of 1–3 flowers on terminal branchlets. Flowers 4–8-merous; hypanthium obconical or cupular, calyx lobes triangular, sometimes red-tinged on inner surface, persistent in fruit; petals absent or linear, inconspicuous and falling early, white or pinkish; stamens many, white or filaments red at the base; ovary at least 10-locular, style robust, stigma capitate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a leathery, indehiscent berry, flattened-globose, crowned by persistent style

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds many, embedded in the mesocarp.

Ecology

The species of Sonneratia are found in coastal habitats, usually in mangroves, but have also been collected from freshwater tidal forests, sago swamp and rocky shores always at sea level but very occasionally on river banks at 10 m (Wasur National Park).

Recognition

Sonneratia can be recognised by its presence in mangrove habitats, few-flowered inflorescence, the strap-like or absent petals and the indehiscent flattened-globose leathery fruit.

Sonneratiaceae, A. Fernandes. Flora Zambesiaca 4. 1978

Morphology General Habit

Glabrous trees or shrubs with coriaceous leaves.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Calyx-lobes 4–8, acute, valvate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals as many as the calyx-lobes, broad to very narrow.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens ?, inserted in several rows on a perigynous ring at the mouth of the calyx-tube.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary adnate to the calyx-tube at the base, depressed-globose, multilocular; ovules numerous in each loculus; style straight.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit a multilocular berry, free from the calyx-tube and eventually stipitate, with the loculi many-seeded.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds curved, angular, with a thick coriaceous testa; cotyledons shorter than the radicle.