Looking Glass Mangrove (Heritiera littoralis)
Scientific Name: Heritiera littoralis — Looking-Glass Mangrove or Looking-Glass Tree.
Native Home: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, eastern Africa, northern Australia, and Pacific islands.
Height: Typically 10–25 m, occasionally reaching 30 m.
Lifespan: Several decades; a reliable average lifespan is not well established.
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Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Strong, durable wood traditionally used for boatbuilding, bridges, house posts, furniture, and other construction.
Harvesting: Wood has been collected for timber and fuelwood, while bark has been used for tannins. Harvesting must comply with local mangrove-protection regulations.
Age to Harvest: No universal commercial harvest age; growth varies with habitat, salinity, and site productivity.
Products: Timber, furniture, boatbuilding materials, fuelwood, paper materials, and traditional tannin products.
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History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Wood has traditionally been used for ship masts, boat ribs, house posts, and other durable structures. In some regions, the seeds are eaten after suitable preparation.
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Global Spread: Found in tropical coastal regions from eastern Africa and Madagascar through India and Southeast Asia to Australia and Pacific islands. It often grows on the landward edges of mangrove forests and along tidal riverbanks. Its large leaves are dark green above and silvery-white beneath, and its distinctive ridged fruits can float in seawater.
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