White Mangrove Apple (Sonneratia alba)
Scientific Name: Sonneratia alba — White Mangrove Apple or Mangrove Apple.
Native Home: East Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, northern Australia, and Pacific islands.
Height: Typically 3–15 m, sometimes reaching 20 m.
Lifespan: Several decades; longevity varies with habitat and environmental conditions.
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Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Wood used locally for construction, boatbuilding, paddles, and other wooden products.
Harvesting: Fruits are collected for traditional food uses, while wood has been harvested for fuel and timber where permitted.
Age to Harvest: No universal commercial harvest age; growth depends on tidal conditions, salinity, and site productivity.
Products: Timber, fuelwood, charcoal, edible fruits, vinegar, and coastal-restoration seedlings.
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History and Global Production
Traditional Use: The sour fruits are eaten raw or cooked and used to make vinegar. Wood has traditionally been used for boats, paddles, houses, and other practical products.
Global Spread: Found across tropical coastlines from East Africa and South Asia to Southeast Asia, Australia, and the western Pacific. It often grows along tidal creeks and sheltered shores, with finger-like breathing roots projecting from the mud.
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