Aegialitis rotundifolia, a crypto-viviparous true mangrove tree species

What is it about?

Aegialitis rotundifolia is a euhaline evergreen shrubby tree species. It is a hermaphroditic, self-compatible species with mixed breeding system. It is both melittophilous and anemophilous but the former is the principal pollination syndrome. The seed produces seedling within the fruit pericarp while it is still attached to the parent plant. Seedling or seed dispersal and establishment occurs through self-planting and stranding strategies. The self-planting strategy is effective in undisturbed sites while the stranding strategy is more effective in exploited and open areas of mangroves.

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Why is it important?

It is very important constituent of seaward mangrove plant species. It has the ability to tolerate high salinity and build up its populations and contributes to the accretion of seashore floor. It is also important in sequestering carbon by thriving in high salinity areas of estuarine ecosystem.

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