More interesting mangrove plants...



Adult sea hollies

Young sea hollies

Unlike some mangrove plants, Sea Hollies (Acanthus Ebracteatus) do not exclude salt at the root level. In fact, their sap is salty and excess salt is secreted through the leaves, to be removed by rain or wind. Sometimes, the salt can be seen as a white crystalline layer on the upper surface. The plant produces a cluster of flowers that develop into pods. When the pods ripen, they explode to propel the seeds up to 2m away. Sea Hollies grow on mud near the hide tide mark, often on mud lobster mounds. It can grow equally well under trees and in open areas. But it grows especially well in areas with more freshwater input. The plant can sometimes cover large areas and form thickets, particularly in disturbed mangrove. They also grow along river banks.

Terantum Merah

The Teruntum Merah (Lumnitzera littorea) is a nationally endangered mangrove tree from the family Combretaceae. This tree can be seen at several of our mangrove forests, including Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Semakau, Pasir Ris, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Kranji and St John's Island. It occurs on the landward fringe of mangrove forests. The bark is fissured and reddish-brown. It relies on its roots to exclude salt from entering the plant through a process called ultrafiltration. It has simple, alternate, narrowly-drop-shaped leaves with a rounded tip. There is a small notch at the tip. The flowers are red and occur in clusters. They are strongly scented with lots of nectar.