Rhizophora apiculata
Rhizophora apiculata is a species of plant in the Rhizophoraceae family. It is found in Australia, Guam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Maldives, Thailand, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
Rhizophora apiculata is called ‘bakhaw lalaki,’ in the Philippines, "Thakafathi ތަކަފަތި" in the Maldives, 'Đước' in Vietnam, Garjan in India, as well as other vernacular names.
Rhizophora apiculata, as well as Rhizophora mucronata, is used to make charcoal in the charcoal kilns of Kuala Sepetang in Perak, Malaysia. Rhizophora apiculata is used for mangrove plantation specially for wood charcoal production in many parts of Thailand; Yeesarn village of Smaut Songkram Province for instance.When bred with 'bakauan bato', the product is a rare hybrid species of mangrove, called "Rhizophora x lamarckii", which was discovered on April, 2008, by Filipino scientists in Masinloc, Zambales. Only one tree was found on Panay Island in Western Visayas, while 12 were discovered in Masinloc, and they have an average diameter of 5.5 centimeters and height of 6 meters.
In Maldives Rhizophora apiculata is commonly mistaken by locals with Rhizophora mangle. This species of plant is only found in Kaafu Atoll Hura.
