Ceriops decandra

Botanical Description

Ceriops decandra is a straight, columnar tree with a relatively narrow crown; it usually grows up to 15 metres tall, but some specimens up to 35 metres have been recorded. The bole is most commonly in the range 15 - 20cm in diameter, though some can reach 35cm; it has short basal buttresses which appear to develop from the fusion of clusters of stilt roots. Small pneumatophores (breathing roots) develop in wet sites[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. , 451 Title Flora Malesiana Series 1 Publication Author Various Website http://www.archive.org Publisher Nationaal Herbarium Nederiand, Universiteit Leiden branch Year 0 ISBN Description A massive treatment of the plants of the Malaysian Archipelago. Much of it has been made available to download from the Internet ]. The tree is commonly harvested from the wild as a source of wood and other materials for local use. In the past the bark was an important source of high quality tannin, and although its use for this purpose has waned in recent years, it is still used locally[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. This species is rare with a restricted distribution[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. Its large-scale exploitation for posts, poles, firewood and charcoal has been widespread, and still occurs in places[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. It is also threatened by habitat loss from coastal development throughout its range. Although the exact population reduction is unknown, it is estimated to be between 12 - 26% over the period 1980 - 2000. The plant is currently classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013), though may well qualify for a 'Threatened' category[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].