Asiatic Mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata)
Scientific Name: Rhizophora apiculata — Asiatic Mangrove.
Native Home: South and Southeast Asia, including India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Height: 10–30 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Durable wood used locally for construction, poles, and boatbuilding.
Harvesting: Harvested in some regions for timber, firewood, and charcoal.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 15–30 years, depending on growing conditions and intended use.
Products: Timber, firewood, charcoal, and bark tannins.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Coastal communities have used its wood for construction and fuel, and its tannin-rich bark for dyeing and leather processing.
Global Spread: Naturally widespread in tropical mangrove forests across South and Southeast Asia and parts of the western Pacific.
