Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina)
Scientific Name: Avicennia marina — Grey Mangrove or Grey Avicennia.
Native Home: Eastern Africa, the Red Sea, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the western Pacific.
Height: Typically 2–10 m, occasionally reaching 25 m.
Lifespan: Several decades; longevity depends on habitat and environmental conditions.
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Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Strong, durable wood traditionally used for poles, boat ribs, and fuelwood.
Harvesting: Bark has been collected for tannins and brown dye; wood harvesting should follow local mangrove-protection laws.
Age to Harvest: No universal commercial harvest age; growth varies with salinity, tidal conditions, and site productivity.
Products: Timber, fuelwood, charcoal, traditional dye materials, honey, and coastal-restoration seedlings.
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History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Bark has traditionally supplied tannins and brown dye, while flowers provide nectar for honey production.
Global Spread: A widely distributed mangrove of tropical and subtropical coastlines, commonly found along estuaries, tidal mudflats, and riverbanks. Its pencil-like breathing roots help it survive in waterlogged, oxygen-poor soils, and it tolerates high salinity.
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