Bruguiera (gymnorrhiza)

Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net

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Family Scientific Name:	Rhizophoraceae
Family Common Name:	mangrove
Scientific Name:	Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Savigny
Common Synonym:	Rhizophora gymnorhiza L.
Common Name:	brown mangrove, Oriental mangrove, Burma mangrove; togo; toto saina (Samoa); tongo; tongo ta'ane; fa'onelua (Tonga); te tongo buangi (Kiribati); kukuna-o-ka-la (Hawaii)
Ecotype:	Coastal; tropical moist and rain forests
General Distribution:	Found in tidal swamps and river mouths, this species is essential for coastal protection from saltwater incursion, and for soil stabilization. Native to East Africa, Southeast Asia, and some Pacific Islands from Tonga and Samoa in western Polynesia to Nauru and the Marshall and Gilbert Islands in Eastern Micronesia. A recent (and problematic) introduction into areas of eastern Polynesia, including Hawaii.
Known Invasiveness:	This species is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it is a problematic invasive in Hawaii and areas of eastern Polynesia.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	4 Months
Target Specifications:	Seedlings have reached target when they have 3-4 leaves and are approximately 30-45 cm in height.
Propagule Collection:	Propagules may be collected any time of year. The propagule of the mangrove is not a seed, but a viviparous seedling. The seeds germinate on the parent plant, and are typically dropped 8-12 months after fertilization. The propagules are rod-shaped, usually about 30 cm long. They can be collected from the ground or water surfaces around the trees, although collecting from the tree is thought to be best (Waguk 2003). Bruguiera seedlings are brownish in color. Desirable qualities include being free from damage, insect infestations (usually of borers) or discoloration.
Propagule Processing:	Propagules may be sown directly into soil-filled pint-sized poly bags. They are only planted about 3-4 inches deep (or less than 1/3 of the height). Seedlings must be kept very wet, watered once or twice a day. Some nurseries keep the containers half-filled with water to acclimate seedlings to the outplanting conditions. Survival is around 90%.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	No pretreatment is necessary.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Seedlings prefer light shade during the first month of establishment. A coconut palm frond over each seedling works well for this purpose if a shadehouse is not available (Waguk 2003). After a month, the seedlings can be grown in full sun. Abundant water must be available to grow this species. Growers report that if the seedlings dry out even once during establishment, they tend never to thrive (Waguk 2003). Fresh or brackish water (4% salinity or less) may be used for irrigation.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Fertilizer may be applied one month prior to outplanting. When seedlings have reached target size of 30-45 cm in height, they may be delivered to the planting site. Seedlings that were not irrigated with brackish water are best planted at the onset of rainy periods, which can reduce the shock of saline conditions and improve the seedling's rate of survival.
Other Comments:	Aside from its essential ecological functions in coastal environments, brown mangrove has a number of cultural uses. The wood is used in construction and for tools, crafts, and fuelwood. The fruit and sprouted seeds are an important food during hard times. A black dye is made from the seeds. There are also numerous applications in traditional medicine.
References:	Allen, J.A. 2002. Rhizophora mangle. In: Vozzo, J.A., ed. 2002. Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. Clarke, W.C. and R.R. Thaman. Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability. United Nations University Press, New York. Duke, J.A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. Made available on-line by Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plant Products, West Lafayette, Indiana. Thaman, R.R., C.R. Elevitch and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. "Multipurpose Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands. In: Elevitch, C.R. and K.M. Wilkinson. 2000. Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands. Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI. web: http://www.agroforestry.net Waguk, Erick. 2003. Personal communication.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Savigny plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.