Publication File 1950704990

Mangroves of Odisha
- A Pictorial Guide
Forest & Environment Department

Government of Odisha
© Author
Published by : Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar

Forest & Environment Department
Government of Odisha
All rights reserved : This report may be quoted freely but source must be
acknowledged.
Year of Publication :
Price : ` 200.00
Printed by : Jyoti Graphics

701, Saheed Nagar, Bhubaneswar-07
Ph.: 0674 2544209, Mob.: 09437033771
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many individuals have wittingly or unwittingly assisted in preparation of
this book and there is insufficient space to mention them all. The
Herbarium Keeper, Project Coordinator and Senior Research Fellow
working under ICZMP have contributed for compilation of information,
photographs and literature and the same is thankfully acknowledged.
Dr. Sudarshan Panda, IFS, whose help and industry has made the text
much more readable.
Dr. Mona Sharma, IAS Kharavel Bhawan
Additional Chief Secretary Bhubaneswar - 751 001
Tel No.: 91 674 2536822
Forest, Environment and
E-mail : [email protected]/
Climate Change Department
[email protected]
Govt. of Odisha Web : www.forest.odisha.gov.in
Bhubaneswar - 751001
MESSAGE
Forests of Odisha are distributed along the coast of Bay of Bengal in
Deltas of Mahanadi, Bramhani, Baitarani, Devi, Budhabalanga rivers in
the district of Kendrapara (maximum), Bhadrak and small part of Puri.
Bhitarakanika National Park and Bhitarakanika Sanctuary notified as

Protected Areas under “Wildlife Protection Act, 1972” are home to
these mangrove forests.
Odisha’s mangroves are very rich in biodiversity & protect the local
communities from adverse impact of climate change in addition to
providing economic and ecological services significant role in
maintaining the coast line.
I am happy that mangrove forest division (Wildlife, Rajnagar) is bringing

out the revised edition of the book titled “Mangrove of Odisha-A
Pictorial Guide” which will be and important reference document for
Researchers and nature lovers having keen interest in mangrove
species identification and conservation.
(Dr. Mona Sharma)

Prakruti Bhawan
Sushil Kumar Popli, IFS Plot No.1459, Saheed Nagar
Principal CCF (WL) & Bhubaneswar-751007
Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha Phone:0674-2549554
Email: [email protected]
FOREWORD
Mangrove ecosystem plays a dynamic and significant role in the
estuarine mouth of both the tropical and subtropical areas world over.
Mangrove forest ecosystem though fragile, are most productive that
cater to even the immediate need of local communities.
Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife) Rajnagar had earlier brought out

a pictorial guide on Mangrove Flora of Odisha in the year 2015. This
publication has been appreciated as a ready reckoner to understand
Mangrove diversity and its identification. Considering the pivotal
importance of such plant diversity in formulation of conservation
strategy for the mangroves, the said pictorial guide has now been
thoroughly revised and update information is provided in this new
edition.
I am confident that this book with updated information will be of

immense help to all foresters, nature lovers, researchers, academicians,
students and those interested in Conservation of Mangrove ecosystem.
(Sushil Kumar Popli)

CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Mangroves of Odisha coast 2
District wise mangrove forests cover in Odisha 4
Mangrove ecosystem 6
Plant adaptations 6
Adaptation to the saline environment 7
Salt exclusion 7
Salt secreting glands 7
Salt accumulation 8
Adaptation to the soft substrate/aquatic environment 8
Vivipary and cryptovivipary 8
Water dispersion of seeds and propagules 8
Stilt and buttress roots 9
Adaptation to anaerobic conditions 9
Lenticels 9
Pneumatophores 9
Classification of mangroves 10
True mangroves 10
Mangrove associates 26
Back mangroves 40
Beach flora 55
Reference 58
Index to botanical names 60
INTRODUCTION
Mangroves are salt tolerant plant communities found in tropical and sub-tropical
intertidal regions of the world. Such areas are characterized by high rainfall
(between 1,000 to 3,000 mm) and temperature (ranging between 260C-350C).
Mangrove species exhibit a variety of adaptations in morphology, anatomy and
physiology to survive in water logged soils, high salinity and frequent cyclonic
storms and tidal surges. Mangroves are important refuges of coastal bio-diversity
and also act as bio-shields against extreme climatic events. Large populations,
primarily rural, depend on Mangrove ecosystems for a wide variety of biomass
dependent livelihoods. (ISFR 2021)
Mangroves live life on the edge. With one foot on land and another in the water,
these botanically amphibians occupy a zone of desiccating heat, choking mud and
salt levels that would kill an ordinary plant within hours. Yet the forests mangroves
form is among the most productive and biologically complex ecosystems under
the sun. Birds roost in the canopy, shellfish attach themselves to the roots, and
snakes and crocodiles come to hunt. Mangroves provide nursery grounds for a
wide range of faunal diversity right from arthropod to large mammals.
Mangroves are a group of vascular plants that have special morphological,
physiological and other non-visible adaptations to live in a saline intertidal
environment dominated by low dissolved oxygen or sometimes anoxic fine
sediments. These plants, together with their complement of microorganisms and
animals, form the mangrove ecosystem. The term mangrove thus refers both to
the plants themselves as well as to the ecosystem. Often, plants which occur in
the non-mangrove ecosystem (usually in strand or beach vegetation) and with
none or only a few of these morphological adaptations are also found in the
mangrove forests.
Thus mangrove plants are sometimes classified as either true mangroves or
mangrove associates (Tomlinson, 1986). True mangroves are plants with many
morphological adaptations and found almost exclusively in the mangrove
ecosystem. No classification system is perfect and Tomlinson (1986) had himself
admitted: Of course, the groups are not sharply circumscribed and the assessment
is somewhat subjective, since there is a continuum of possibilities. For example,
Excoecaria agallocha has only a single morphological adaptation (lenticels) but
because it is rarely found in other coastal ecosystems, it is considered by most to
be a true mangrove (Wang et al., 2010). Yet there are some who do not consider
Nypa fruticans to be a true mangrove despite its having viviparous fruits because
it occurs extensively in freshwater, a distinct ecosystem on its own.
Mangroves of Odisha || 1 ||
Diospyros ferrea is considered by Tomlinson (1986) to be a mangrove associate.
This, like the other Diospyros species or varieties found in back mangroves do not
have any of the characteristics that make them true mangroves. They are only
occasionally found (but not exclusively) in back mangroves. Yet Diospyros littorea
(considered a variety of Diospyros ferrea) is listed as a true mangrove in the World
Atlas of Mangroves (Spalding et al., 2010) and in the IUCN Mangrove Red List
(Polidoro et al., 2010). Both these lists were based on Duke (2006).
The mangrove ecosystem is ephemeral in terms of its location, in that it moves
in response to changes in sea level. The fact that mangrove plants have existed
for millions of years, through numerous glacial and interglacial periods shows that
this ecosystem is well adapted to global climate changes. Since man is a very
recent inhabitant of Earth, their impact was not noticeable in the last shift from
glacial to the present interglacial but their ability to change the environment,
especially in the past couple of hundred years, has been profound. It is thus not
moot as to whether this ecosystem can adequately respond to global changes
brought on by man. Equally important is to consider what actions should be taken
to minimise damage to this ecosystem.
MANGROVES OF ODISHA COAST

As per Global Forest Resource Assessment, 2020 (FRA 2020), world over, 113
countries have Mangrove forest covering an estimated 14.79 million hectares. The
largest Mangrove area is reported in Asia (5.55 million hectares), followed by
Africa (3.24 million hectares). More than 40 percent of the total area of Mangroves
was reported to be in just four countries: Indonesia (19 percent of the total), Brazil
(9 percent), Nigeria (7 percent) and Mexico (6 percent).
Important species of Mangrove ecosystems in India include Avicenniaofficinalis,
Rhizophoramucronata, Sonneratiaalba, Avicennia alba, Bruguieracylindrica,
Heritieralittoralis, Phoenix paludosa, Morindacitrifolia & Ceriopstagal.
According to Champion & Seth Classification (1968), Mangroves are included in
Type Group-4 Littoral & Swamp Forests and are covered under,
z 4A/L1Littoral forest,
z 4B/TS1 Mangrove scrub,
z 4B/TS2 Mangrove forest,
z 4B/TS3 Saltwater mixed forest (Heritiera) and
z 4B/TS4 Brackish water mixed forest (Heritiera) types.
The Mangrove cover in this assessment (ISFR 2021) has been categorized into very
Dense (canopy density of 70% and above), Moderately Dense (canopy density of
|| 2 || Mangroves of Odisha
40% and more but less than 70%) and Open categories (canopy density of 10% and
more but less than 40%).
The current assessment shows that Mangrove cover in the India is 4,992 Sq Km,
which is 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area. Very Dense Mangrove
comprises 1,475 Sq Km (29.55%) of the Mangrove cover; Moderately Dense Mangrove
is 1,481 Sq Km (29.67%) while open Mangroves constitute an area of 2,036 Sq Km
(40.78%). There has been a net increase of 17 Sq Km in the mangrove cover of the
country as compared to 2019 assessment. The States that show significant gain in
mangrove cover are Odisha (8 Sq. Km) and Maharashtra (4 Sq. Km). (ISFR 2021).
Table 3.1 Presents status of Mangrove cover in Odisha since 1997 onwards.
* Area in Km2 as per the India State of Forest Report 2021
Table 3.2 Presents extent of Mangrove cover in the three canopy density classes
along the coast of Odisha.
Nearly 57% of the mangroves are found along the east coast. The mangroves of
Odisha coast are situated within the latitude 19ºN and 22ºN and longitude 85ºE
and 87ºE.The reason for the increase in Mangrove cover in Odisha, is mainly due
to the natural regeneration, plantation activities in suitable land like on the banks
of the rivers near the estuary and on intertidal mud-flats associated with the areas
that are inundated by sea water on a daily cycle. The increase in Mangrove cover
has been observed in the districts of Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur and Balasore in
Odisha. The mangroves all along the Odisha coast are threatened due to high
density of population in these areas and competing demand on land for agriculture
and prawn farming.
The mangroves of the Odisha are distributed in the following three major zones:
1. Mangroves of Mahanadi Delta.
2. Mangroves of the Brahmani and Baitarani Delta (Bhitarkanika).
3. Mangroves of the Balasore-Bhadrak coast.
DISTRICT WISE MANGROVE FORESTS COVER IN ODISHA:

(Area in km2 as per the India State of Forest Report 2021)
Bhitarkanika mangroves are most important due to its largest stretch and unique
biodiversity. It is also considered as the third largest mangrove zone of the country
followed by Sundarban and Andaman & Nicobar Island. This area is luxuriant due to
beneficial influence exerted by Brahmani and Baitarani rivers and their distributaries
upon the terrain. This belt located in Kendrapara district comprises of coastal areas
between Dhamra mouth and Barunei and has been notified as Bhitarkanika Sanctuary
(672 Km2). Part of this area (145 Km2) has also been notified as National Park. This
stretch of mangrove is relatively well preserved.
Mangrove vegetation in Mahanadi delta region between Barunei mouth to Mahanadi
mouth (Paradeep) is fragmented and degraded due to large-scale encroachment over
these areas.
Further south, sparse mangrove vegetation within Jagatsingpur and Puri Districts
occurs along the coast from Mahanadi river mouth to Devi-Kadua river mouth.
Degraded mangroves also occur to the north of Dhamra river mouth upto
Chudamani in Bhadrak district coast and also on Subarnarekha river mouth in
Balasore district in and around Bichitrapur. Small patches of mangroves of plantation
origin exist in outer channel of Chilika lagoon. Similarly tiny areas with mangrove
vegetation is noticed in Bahuda River Mouth in Ganjam district.
The Bhitarkanika Mangroves were Kanika Zamindari forests until 1951, when the
Government of Odisha abolished the Zamindari system and put the Zamindari forests
under the control of the state forest department since 1957. In 1975, an area of 672
Km² was notified the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary. The core area of 145 Km² was
declared Bhitarkanika National Park in September 1998. The Gahirmatha Marine
Wildlife Sanctuary, which encompasses Gahirmatha Beach and coastal waters to
the east of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, was created in September 1997 to
conserve the nesting Olive Ridley sea turtles. Bhitarkanika Mangroves were
designated as a Ramsar Site (Wetland of International Importance) in 2002. According
to Jagtap et al. (1993), there are 36 number of mangrove species present in Odisha
coast. Haines (1921-25), the then Conservator of Bihar and Odisha has reported
occurrence of 45 mangrove taxa and associates in Odisha Coast. Mooney (1950)
during his visit to Mahanadi delta has added another 12 mangrove taxa to this list.
The floral diversity of Bhitarkanika includes more than 300 plant species (Banerjee,
1984). It includes a total of both mangrove and non-mangroves belonging to 80
families. However, 73 species of mangroves and its associates are reported recently
to found in Bhitarkanika. The major mangrove species are Avicennia alba, Avicennia
officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, Excoecaria agallocha, Acanthus ilicifolius,
Sonneratia apetala and Heritiera fomes. The palm Phoenix paludosa, the fern
Acrostichum aureum and Hibiscus tiliaceus are widespread throughout the forest
(Kar and Bustard, 1986).
This mangrove area harbours one of India’s largest populations of saltwater
crocodiles some of them measuring an estimated length of 21 feet (7.0 metres).
This wetland also hosts a large and diverse population of resident and migratory
birds. Rhesus macaque, fishing cat, jungle cat, small Indian civet cat, common
mongoose, jackal, striped hyena, Indian fox, wild pig, Indian porcupine, mole rat,
long tailed tree mouse, spotted deer, sambar, common otter, smooth Indian otter
are also found here. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is just adjoining and it is the
world’s most important nesting beach for Olive Ridley Sea Turtles. This coastal
stretch is a rich repository of marine faunal assemblage including Horse shoe
crabs, Dolphins etc.
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM
The mangrove ecosystem is an intertidal ecosystem which is inundated by seawater
and the salinity can vary from 0–35 psu (practical salinity unit) or even higher in
certain hyper-saline habitats. The substrate often consists of soft sediments which are
waterlogged where low oxygen conditions occur. Plants and animals which live in the
mangroves have various adaptations to allow them to survive under these stressful
conditions. These adaptations have been described comprehensively in a companion
volume to this book by Clough (2013), so only a concise account is given here.
PLANT ADAPTATIONS
True mangrove species are those which possess structural and physiological adaptations
that allow them to live in a saline and low-oxygen environment. Many of the structural
adaptations in mangroves are quite spectacular (from massive stilt root systems to
propagules up to about a metre in length – both of these are seen in Rhizophora
mucronata). Adaptations in mangrove plants can be grouped into those dealing
with saline conditions, those dealing with the soft substrate and others dealing
with anaerobic conditions.
ADAPTATION TO THE SALINE ENVIRONMENT
Mangroves are halophytes or plants which complete their life cycles in saline waters.
However, many species of mangroves can survive in freshwater, suggesting that their
ability to live in saline waters gives them a competitive advantage in saline
environments. However, some species like Ceriops decandra and Sonneratia alba
could be obligate halophytes (Ball, 1988a) since they showed extremely poor growth
and time-dependent vigour in freshwater. Different species vary in their tolerance to
salinity, and even within one species, tolerance to salinity can be different depending
on the developmental stage of the plant (Ball, 1988b), as seedlings often have food
reserves which allow them to grow well even under unfavourable conditions. The
optimal salinity for growth of seedlings which have exhausted their food reserves
ranges from 10–25% seawater (Clough, 1984; Ball, 1988a). There are three main ways
by which mangroves can deal with salt.
SALT EXCLUSION
One way is to reduce or exclude the uptake of salt. All of the mangroves exclude salt
at the roots to some extent but the amount excluded varies and is usually less in the
species which possess salt-secreting glands (Clough, 1984). However, if most of the
salt is excluded, it is not possible to obtain a positive osmotic potential. So, another
mechanism to increase the osmotic potential within these plants is to increase the
content of colloidal organic molecules from simple sugars to amino acids (Popp 1984a,
1984b). Since these molecules are normal constituents of cells, small increase do
not affect any physiological tolerance problems. In other words, the osmotic
pressure in the plant is generated jointly by ionic and colloidal particles. Hence the
plant sap of these plants will have a much greater osmotic pressure than can be
accounted for by just its ionic (salt) content. Examples of salt excluders are
Rhizophora, Bruguiera and Ceriops of the family Rhizophoraceae.
SALT SECRETING GLANDS
Another mechanism for dealing with the excess salt is to excrete the salt taken in via
salt secreting glands. Species in the genera Acanthus, Aegialitis, Aegiceras and
Avicennia have these salt-secreting glands and crystals of salt are often visible on the
leaf surface. Some of the salt carried in the transpiration stream to the leaves is
absorbed by the growing tissues for osmoregulation purposes and the excess salt is
secreted by the glands so that the ion concentrations are maintained within
physiologically tolerable levels (Ball, 1988b). These mangroves are usually more
salt tolerant than other mangroves.
SALT ACCUMULATION
All mangroves accumulate inorganic ions (Popp 1984a) for the osmoregulation of
leaves and other tissues. This is especially so for species which are unable to exclude
salt at the root level or excrete salt from salt glands in their leaves. These salt
accumulators are species coming under genera Sonneratia, Xylocarpus and Excoecaria
that employ the strategy of dropping their leaves (thus eliminating salt and excess
organics) when the osmotic particles level becomes intolerable. These three genera
also deposit sodium and chloride in the stem and pneumatophore bark.
ADAPTATION TO THE SOFT SUBSTRATE/AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT
VIVIPARY AND CRYPTOVIVIPARY
Vivipary is a reproductive condition where the seed germinates whilst still attached
to the parent plant – these germinated seeds are called propagules. Vivipary is
particularly obvious in the family Rhizophoraceae. The embryo develops within a
small fruit and the embryonic axis, called the hypocotyl, elongates through the
surrounding pericarp. The hypocotyl can grow to great length whilst on the parent
plant, reaching a metre in Rhizophora mucronata. It is often said that these propagules
have an advantage in establishing in a soft substrate because the elongated hypocotyls
can penetrate the substrate and develop root quickly. However, many of the propagules
can be seen floating in the mangrove waterways, and will eventually establish away
from the parent plant.
Cryptovivipary in Avicennia, is similar to vivipary in that the seed also germinates
on the parent tree. However, in this case, the developing hypocotyl does not
penetrate the pericarp and protrude beyond. The cryptoviviparous seedlings of
Avicennia can often been seen deposited on the coast (including sandy beaches),
and some of these have already developed roots which will help them establish
in the new habitat.
WATER DISPERSION OF SEEDS AND PROPAGULES
Other mangrove species (in addition to Rhizophoraceae and Avicenniaceae) which
have seeds that are water-borne and dispersed away from the parent plant include
Heritiera, Xylocarpus and Nypa. The fruit of Heritiera littoralis (and H. fomes) has a
keel. Our observations suggest that often, the keel actually serves as a sail as it is on
the upper surface of the floating fruit!
STILT AND BUTTRESS ROOTS
Mangrove trees have to adapt to live in soft, muddy habitats and many do so by
having aerial roots. Rhizophora species are characterised by their prominent stilt
roots which diverge from the tree sometimes as high as 2 metres and even up to 3-
4 metres as in Gambia (François Blasco, pers. comm.) above ground. These roots can
spread and penetrate the soil up to 4 metres from the main stem. These roots thus
act much as guy ropes in anchoring the tree in the soft substrate. Other species, like
Heritiera littoralis and Xylocarpus granatum, have very prominent sinuous buttress
roots which also help support these plants in the muddy environment.
ADAPTATION TO ANAEROBIC CONDITIONS
LENTICELS
These are pores, equivalent to stomata in the leaves, which occur on the trunks and
exposed roots. Their function is to allow gas exchange. Large lenticels look like small
eyes, hence Bruguiera hainesii which has numerous of these large lenticels on its
trunk, is known locally in Malaysia as ‘mata buaya’ or ‘crocodile eyes’.
PNEUMATOPHORES
These are breathing roots that stick up from shallow horizontal roots (called cable
roots), out of the low-oxygen mud into the air or oxygenated water. Pneumatophores
vary in shape and size for different species and in different environmental conditions.
The pneumatophores of Avicennia are usually around 30 cm high whilst those of
Sonneratia are thicker and higher. The pneumatophores have abundant lenticels which
allow gas exchange. In addition, the pneumatophores (and also the part of the stilt
roots in Rhizophora that penetrates the soil) are largely composed of aerenchyma –
a spongy plant tissue with air spaces. The air spaces enable gas exchange to take
place by diffusion with the underground roots (Hogarth, 1999). Thus Avicennia has
a cable root system which grows just below the soil surface and spreads out
horizontally. This cable root system helps in anchoring the tree in the soft substrate.
Then there are the pneumatophores which grow up from these cable roots and
allow gas exchange.
Finally, there are roots which grow into the substrate and absorb nutrients. The
pneumatophores of Bruguiera are known as knee roots because they grow out of the
mud from cable roots and bend back down like a knee, going back into the mud and
then out and back again.
CLASSIFICATION OF MANGROVES:
Mangroves can be classified as:
1. True mangroves
2. Mangrove associates
3. Back mangroves
4. Beach flora
(Ghosh et al. 2003)
The classification of Mangrove species relevant to Bhitarkanika are as follows:
TRUE MANGROVE SPECIES

Family : Plumbaginaceae
Species : Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb.
Common Name : Banarua
English Name : Club mangrove
Occurrence : Common in areas nearer to
sea in Bhitarkanika South &
Hetamundia forest block in
Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Crypto-viviparous.
Flowering : April to October in
Sundarbans. March to April in
Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : March to September in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Shrub, characteristic leaves,
central
Features : vein conspicuous, leaves
shining above, calyx 13 mm
long, corolla with 12 lobes,
twigs are with conspicuous
annual leaf scars, leaves
broadly ovate with flat stem
casping leaf petiole, extended
hypocotyl upto 7 cm long, can
tolerate high saline condition
in sea facing estuaries.
Root System : No aerial root, trunk base broad
& spongy due to basal fused
upright roots.
Family : Myrsinaceae
Species : Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco
Common Name : Kharsi
English Name : River mangrove
Occurrence : Very common in Bhitarkanika
particularly in Dangmal forest block
and fairly common in Mahanadi
delta.
Germination : Crypto-viviparous.
Flowering & January to September in
Fruiting : Sundarbans. Flowering from
January to March in Bhitarkanika,
while fruiting from March to
September.
Distinguishing Sweet scented white flowers,
Features : producing honey, non-capsular,
non-fleshy, single seeded fruit,
flowers all on first order branches,
fruit 5 to 8 cm long, curved with a
persistent calyx, turning yellowish
brown on maturity.
Root System : Trunk base swollen without aerial
roots, stem densely branched.
Family : Avicenniaceae
Species : Avicennia alba Blume
Common Name : Dhala Bani
Occurrence : Abundant in areas nearer to sea in
Mahanadi delta like in Hetamundia
& Kansaridiha blocks. Also along
river Maipura & Baunsagarh but
absent in and around Dangmal.
Germination : Crypto - Viviparous germination.
Flowering & March to October in Sundarbans.
Fruiting : Gregarious flowering in
Bhitarkanika during monsoon.
June- August, fruiting from July to
November, rarely in December.
Distinguishing Leaves lanceolate or linear with
Features : pointed apex, ventral surface bright
silvery, flowers less than 0.4 cm in
across, fruit 4.0 cm long conical,
tapering.
Root System : Pneumatophores numerous, erect
pencil like, attain height up to 30
cm.
Species : Avicennia marina (Forsk.) Vierh.
Common Name : Singala Bani
Occurrence : Abundant in areas nearer to sea
in Jamboo & Hetamundia blocks
in Mahanadi delta. Also along
river Maipura & Baunsagarh but
absent in and around Dangmal.
Germination : Crypto-Viviparous germination.
Flowering & March to October.
Fruiting : Gregarious during monsoon,
often from May to August while
fruiting from July to December.
Distinguishing Leaves ovate-lanceolate, not
Features : much silvery like A. alba, flowers
orange yellow 0.4 cm - 0.5 cm in
across, sweet scented, and bark
peeling like guava, fruit rounded
with shortly beaked.
pencil like, attain height up to
30cm.
Species : Avicennia officinalis L.
Common Name : Bada Bani
Occurrence : Very common in most of the
forest blocks, more so in inter-
tidal zones away from sea in
Bhitarkanika and Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Crypto-Viviparous germination.
Fruiting : Gregarious flowering during May
to July & fruiting from July to
September in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Pneumatophores longer, leaves
Features : obovate oblong, round apically,
never silvery beneath, flowers 1.0
cm -1.5 cm in across, fruit 2.5 cm
- 3.0 cm long with a short narrow
beak, almond shaped.
pencil like, attain height up to 30
cm.
Family : Tiliaceae
Species : Brownlowia tersa (L.) Kosterm.
Common Name : Lati Sundari
Occurrence : Very common along the creeks of
Bhitarkanika and in Kharnasi block
in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Small seeded without vivipary.
Flowering : June to September in Sundarbans.
April to August in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : June to September in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaves alternate, brownish scale
Features : on under surface, shrub upto 2
m, petiole 1 to 2 cm without
pulvinus, flowers small, in
compact axillary clusters.
Family : Rhizophoraceae
Species : Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume
Common Name : Kaliachua
Occurrence : Abundant in Hetamundia &
Kansaridiha forest blocks in
Mahanadi delta, uncommon in
Kalibhanjdia, Ekakula & Krishnapriyapur.
Germination : Viviparous germination, 16 cm long
hypocotyl at maturity grooved or
angled.
Flowering : April to June.
Fruiting : April to July.
Distinguishing 3 flowers in each group, petal
Features : white, calyx lobes 8 and completely
reflexed in fruit (folding inversely),
petals 3mm - 4mm long with 2 or
3 bristles at the apex of each lobe,
flower greenish, erect at anthesis.
Root System : Stilt roots fused at trunk base,
buttress root.
Status : Common in Mahanadi delta but
rare in Bhitarkanika.
Species : Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (L.) Lamk.
Common Name : Bandari
Occurrence : Common in Kansaridiha forest block
in Mahanadi delta, rare in
Bhitarkanika particularly Baunsagarh
creek in Krushnapriyapur Beat.
Germination : Viviparous germination, hypocotyl
upto 18 cm long, ridged.
Flowering & March to October in Sundarbans,
Fruiting : Throughout the year in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaves reddish beneath, calyx
Features : reddish with 12-14 lobes, hypocotyl
upto 25 cm long, cigar shaped,
blunt apically, slightly angular, tips
of petal lobes acute, each extended
into 3 filamentous appendages,
twigs and petioles glaucous with
white wax.
Root System : Supported by basal fused stilt roots
on the trunk base and form conical
base with fused aerial roots,
occasionally form buttresses and
horizontal knee roots.
Species : Bruguiera parviflora Wt. & Arn.
Common Name : Dot
Occurrence : Restricted to Hetamundia,
Kansaridiha & Kharnasi forest
blocks in Mahanadi delta &
Kalibhanjdia island.
Germination : Viviparous germination, 25 cm
long hypocotyle, smooth, 5 mm
in diameter.
Flowering & April & May.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Calyx lobes slender, short, less
Features : than 3 mm, petals 1.5 mm - 2.0
mm long, yellowish, medium tree,
slightly yellowish, 4-7 flowers in
groups.
Status : Abundant in Mahanadi delta,
uncommon in Kalibhanjdia but
absent in Bhitarkanika.
Species : Bruguiera sexangula (Lour.) Poir.
Common Name : Bandari
Occurrence : Very common in almost all the
forest blocks in Bhitarkanika but
rare in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Viviparous germination, hypocotyl
10 cm long.
Flowering & Summer to monsoon months in
Fruiting : Sundarbans, Flowering throughout
the year while fruiting in January
to August in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Tips of petal lobes blunt without
Features : filamentous appendages, calyx
smaller and distinctly ribbed, twigs
and petioles lack white waxy
covering, calyx is not
conspicuously scarlet with 10
lobes, yellowish distinct mid vein.
Root system : Trunk base conspicuous,
supported by aerial fused roots,
form buttresses and horizontal
knee roots.
Species : Ceriops decandra (Griff.) Ding Hou
Common Name : Garani (Yellow mangrove)
Occurrence : Common in almost all the forest
blocks but abundant in areas nearer
to sea like Hukitola, Kansaridiha,
Kantilo forest blocks & Habalikhati.
Germination : Viviparous germination, 12cm long
hypocotyl.
Flowering : February to September in Sundarban.
December to August in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : Hypocotyl found almost throughout
the year in Sundarban. February to
August in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Hypocotyl sharply ridged with blunt
Features : apex, calyx erect in fruit,
inflorescence axis short, wide, stout,
expanded distally (10 mm or less),
petals not enclosing stamens at
anthesis, with a fringe of
filamentous appendage, stamens
with a short filament equal or
exceeded by anther.
Species : Ceriops tagal (Perr.) C.B. Rabinson
Common Name : Garani (Yellow mangrove)
Occurrence : Found in Kakaranasi Forest Block
of Rajnagar Range.
Germination : Viviparous germination.
Flowering : April to September in Andamans.
Fruiting : April to September in Andamans.
Distinguishing Hypocotyl upto 25 cm,
Features : inflorescence axis long and
uniformly slender (10-20 mm by
2 mm). Apex of the petal with 3
clavate appendages, stamens with
long, slender filaments much
exceeding the blunt anthers,
hypocotyl slightly ridged.
Family : Euphorbiaceae
Species : Excoecaria agallocha L.
Common Name : Guan
English Name : Blinding Mangrove
Occurrence : Abundant all over the Park, also
in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Small-seeded, non-viviparous.
Fruiting & April to August in Sundarbans, in
Flowering : Bhitarkanika, flowering during
June-July and fruiting from July to
August.
Distinguishing Exudes white latex on injury,
Features : leaves red before shedding, fruit
3 lobed schizocarp, a pair of
glands at leaf base, flowers catkin
(male) and axillary (female).
Root System : Spreading horizontal roots on
surface in eroded soil.
Family : Sterculiaceae
Species : Heritiera fomes Buch. - Ham.
Common Name : Bada Sundari
Occurrence : Abundant in all the forest blocks
in Kanika Range including
Kalibhanjdia island in Bhitarkanika
North away from sea. Uncommon
in Mahanadi delta except in
Kharnasi block.
Germination : Hypogeal germination.
Flowering & May to October in Sundarbans, in
Fruiting : Bhitarkanika, flowering in March-
August. & fruiting in May-August
Distinguishing Bark-inner brown, turn reddish
Features : on peeling, fruit knobby with a
ventral ridge together with a
transverse, circular ridge, prefers
well drained less saline soil where
fresh water supply is abundant.
Root System : Blunt end peg like
pneumatophores, exposed plank
like horizontal roots with stem
buttresses in mature trees.
Species : Heritiera kanikensis Majumdar & Banerjee
Common Name : Kanika Sundari
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to Kanika Range ?
Flowering : May to August.
Fruiting : May to August.
Distinguishing The species is similar to H. fomes
Features : but is easily recognized from
others by its rough globose fruits
devoid of transverse circular ridge
and apical crest.
Root System : Pneumatophore exists.
Status : The author has not been able to
locate the species.
Species : Heritiera littoralis Dryand ex Ait.
Common Name : Dhala Sundari
English Name : Water coconut
Occurrence : Rare but common in Bhitarkanika-
North particularly in Dangmal &
Bhitarkanika forest blocks.
Flowering : July to October in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : September to January in
Bhitarkanika while November to
March in Andamans.
Distinguishing Fruit smooth with a rudder like
Features : crest, but without a transverse
circular ridge.
Root System : Pneumatophores absent with
stem buttresses in mature trees.
Species : Kandelia candel (L.) Druce
Common Name : Sinduka
Occurrence : Abundant in almost all the forest
blocks in Bhitarkanika,
Kalibhanjdia & fairly common in
Petchhela & Kharnasi forest blocks
in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Viviparous.
Flowering : Throughout the year.
Fruiting : Throughout the year. Hypocotyls
fall off during July.
Distinguishing Hypocotyl upto 40 cm long at
Features : maturity, pointed apically and
tapered at each end,
pneumatophores absent, flower
white.
Root System : Fused broom like stilt roots form
buttresses on the trunk base.
Family : Combretaceae
Species : Lumnitzera racemosa Willd.
Common Name : Churunda
Occurrence : Less common but spread over
throughout the Park, more in
Bhitarkanika forest block,at
Habalikhati and also in Hukitola
block in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Small viviparous seeds.
Flowering & May to November in Sundarbans,
Fruiting : In Bhitarkanika, flowering from
May to July & fruiting from June
to September.
Distinguishing Flowers white and sessile,
Features : inflorescence axillary, stamens
equaling or only slightly exceeding
the petals, leaf blade hairy when
young, fibrous fissured bark, calyx
5, petals 5, stamens usually 10,
evergreen tree, fruits are flattened,
1 seeded drupe with persistent
sepals and style, two distinct
notches at the mid side of the fruit.
Family : Arecaceae
Species : Nypa fruticans (Thunb.) Wurmb.
Common Name : Nypa Palm
Occurrence : Once found in Bhitarkanika and
Mahanadi delta but now extinct.
The species has been introduced
at Dangmal.
Germination : Viviparous germination.
Flowering : November to July in Sundarbans,
March to July in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : Fruits found almost throughout
the year in Sundarbans, but from
July to January in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Rhizomatous palm, looks like
features : sunken coconut palm, several
spathe, male inflorescence-catkin,
carpels-3, aggregate, fruits up to
12 cm long.
Family : Arecaceae
Species : Phoenix paludosa Roxb.
Common Name : Hental
English : Sea date
Occurrence : Very common throughout the
Park. Extensive patch from
Krishnapriyapur to Chinchiri
mouth and in Petchhela block in
Mahanadi Delta
Germination : Medium seeded non-viviparous.
Flowering : March to June in Sundarbans, in
Bhitarkanika, February to March.
Fruiting : March-July in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaves like date palm, trunk
Features : erect, stem annular, single spathe,
male inflorescence not catkin,
carpels-3, united, fruit small upto
1.5 cm long.
Root System : Aerial pneumatothodes develop
up to 25 cm in compact soil
inundated with tidal water.
Species : Rhizophora apiculata Blume
Common Name : Rai
Occurrence : Common in Kansaridiha &
Hetamundia forest blocks in
Mahanadi delta, rare in Kanika
Range.
Germination : Viviparous, 50 cm long hypocotyl,
smooth.
Flowering & March to September in Sundarbans,
Fruiting : February to July and September to
November (twice a year) in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaves without acute apex,
Features : short petiole, young leaves with red
venation, flowers in 2's, flowers and
fruits well below the leaf rosette,
petal yellowish and glabrous,
stamens usually 12, sessile.
Root system : Prominent stilt roots from the trunk
bases and hanging aerial roots.
Species : Rhizophora mucronata Lamk.
Common Name : Rai
Occurrence : Common in Kansaridiha forest
block in Mahanadi delta, along
Baunsagarh river in Rajnagar
Range, Gokhani creek &
Bhitarkanika forest block in Kanika
Range.
Germination : Viviparous, 75 cm long hypocotyl,
warted.
Flowering & February to October in Sundarbans,
Fruiting : February to July and September
to November (twice a year) in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaf with acute mucronate apex,
Features : longer petiole, flower in 4's on
slender peduncles, flowers/ fruits
borne within the leafy crown,
petal whitish and hairy on margin,
stamens 8.
Root system : Prominent stilt roots from the trunk
bases and hanging aerial roots.
Species : Rhizophora stylosa Griff.
Common Name : Rai
Distinguishing Stigmas on a slender style
Features : 4-6 mm long, hypocotyl smooth,
not exceeding 30cm., leaf blade
narrow upto 7cm and short upto
12 cm.
Status : Author has not been able to
locate the tree so far.
Root System : Prominent stilt roots from the
trunk bases and hanging aerial
roots.
Family : Sonneratiaceae
Species : Sonneratia alba J. Smith
Common Name : Orua
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to Hukitola
mouth in Mahanadi delta, Ekakula
& accreted islands nearby.
Flowering & : Almost throughout the year.
Fruiting
Distinguishing Calyx cup shaped, ribbed, white
Features : petals that are tinged red apically
present, leaves ovate with short
thick petiole.
Root System : Conspicuous negatively geotropic
aerial roots, pneumatophores
numerous, erect with secondary
growth, attain height up to 1.5 m.
Species : Sonneratia apetala Buch. - Ham.
Common Name : Keruan
Occurrence : Abundant along the river
Bhitarkanika & other creeks in
North Bhitarkanika away from sea.
Common in Jamboo forest block
in Mahanadi delta.
Flowering & June to October in Sundarbans.
Fruiting : In Bhitarkanika, flowering in
March-April and fruiting from
May- August.
Distinguishing Calyx 4 lobed, not exceeding
Features : 2 cm. stigma is broad and
mushroom-shaped at anthesis,
fruits clustered in branch like
Areca nut.
with secondary growth, attain
height up to 1.5 m.
Species : Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engler
Common Name : Orua
Occurrence : Only restricted to Khola creek,
Thanapati creek & Mahisamada
creek in North Bhitarkanika. Rare
in Kansaridiha forest block in
Mahanadi delta.
Fruiting : In Bhitarkanika flowering from
March to September & fruiting
from April to December.
Distinguishing Petiole short or almost absent,
Features : veins inconspicuous, petals
present, red in colour, alternate
with calyx, filaments red below,
white above, adult leaves usually
with a blunt apex, calyx flat,
obscurely ribbed.
Species : Sonneratia griffithii Kurz
Common Name : Orua
Occurrence : Probably in Hukitola forest block
in Mahanadi delta, may be in
Ekakula & newly accreted islands
nearer sea.
Flowering & : April to October.
Fruiting
Distinguishing Vein conspicuous, petals absent,
Features : filaments white, calyx flat
obscurely ribbed.
Status : Likely to be confused with S. alba.
The author has not been able to
locate the species.
Family : Meliaceae
Species : Xylocarpus granatum Koenig
Common Name : Sisumar
Occurrence : Common all over the Park but
more in Bhitarkanika forest block
in Kanika Range.
Germination : Large fruit, many seeded,
viviparous.
Flowering : Profusely during April to August
in Sundarban. In Bhitarkanika, 1st
phase in March & April, 2nd phase
in November.
Fruiting : May to March in Bhitarkanika
Distinguishing Large fruit upto 25 cm
features : diameter, trunk surface smooth,
pale, blotched greenish or
yellowish, peeling in patches,
inflorescence upto 6 cm long
without well developed main axis.
Root System : Trunk with buttresses, ribbonlike
extensions of root system.
Family : Meliaceae
Species : Xylocarpus mekongensis Pierre
Common Name : Pitamari
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to Bhitarkanika
forest block & Ragadapatia forest
blocks in Kanika Range and in
Hukitola block in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Many seeded, viviparous.
Flowering : March to June in Sundarbans. In
Bhitarkanika February to March.
Fruiting : Mature fruits found hanging from
July to November in Sundarbans
while from April to June in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Fully deciduous during middle of
Features : February, new leaves appear with
inflorescence during Feb-March,
fruit small not exceeding 12 cm in
diameter, trunk surface rough, dark
brown, fissured and peeling in
narrow strips, buttresses very short,
inflorescence exceeding 8 cm with
a distinct main axis.
Root System : Roots develop peg like pneumatophores.
Family : Meliaceae
Species : Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lamk.) Roem.
Common Name : Pitakorua
Occurrence : Very rare & restricted to
Bhitarkanika & Dangmal forest
blocks in Kanika Range.
Germination : Many seeded, viviparous.
Flowering : February to March in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : March to June in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Plants of sandy or rocky beaches,
Features : leaflets usually 4 or 6,more or less
ovate, leaves usually narrowed to
a distinctly pointed apex,
inflorescence less than 8 cm in
length, bark longitudinally
fissured, fruit about size of an
orange.
Root System : Root system not elaborated.
Buttresses absent.
MANGROVE ASSOCIATES
Family : Acanthaceae
Species : Acanthus ilicifolius L.
Common Name : Harakancha
Occurrence : Abundant all over in Bhitarkanika
and Mahanadi delta.
Flowering : May to August in Sundarbans.
March to August in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : April to August in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Gregarious shrub upto 2 m tall,
Features : bluish white flower, small fruit of
3 cm, spiny margined leaves,
inflorescence longer than 10 cm,
bracteoles persistent in fruit upto
1 cm long.
Family : Acanthaceae
Species : Acanthus volubilis Wall.
Common Name : Harakancha
Occurrence : Extremely rare & restricted to
Kanika Range. Author has not
been able to locate the species.
Flowering : June to September.
Distinguishing Deciduous during flowering,
Features : bracteoles never present, bract
longer than calyx, leaves without
spines, climber, white flower, ripe
fruit shorter than 2 cm, leaves
widest above the middle.
Family : Acrostichaceae
Species : Acrostichum aureum L.
Common Name : Kharkhari
English Name : Mangrove fern.
Occurrence : Common in Dangmal block,
Ragadapatia block & Bhitarkanika
block.
Germination : Non-viviparous.
Reproduction : Sporangia formation during
February to April.
Distinguishing Fern like characteristic leaves,
Features : young leaves have crimson colour,
recognized few distal fertile
pinnae on fertile fronds and the
shape of paraphyses (symmetric,
outline irregular terminal
unextended).
Family : Meliaceae
Species : Aglaia cucullata (Roxb.) Pellegrin
Common Name : Ooanra
Occurrence : Rare & restricted along
Bhitarkanika river & Mahisamada
creek, more in Dangmal forest
block
Flowering : March to August in Sundarbans.
In Bhitarkanika, January to March
& 2nd phase in July to August
which do not bear fruit.
Fruiting : April to August.
Distinguishing Medium tree, 15 m tall, leaves
Features : compound, leaflets 2-4 pairs,
oblong, elliptic, petals longer,
staminal tube shorter than the
petals.
Root System : Occasionally form
peumatophores.
Family : Apocynaceae
Species : Cerbera odollam Gaertn.
Common Name : Paniamba
Occurrence : Very rare & restricted to Khola
creek in Kanika Range.
Flowering & Almost throughout the year.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Corolla with a yellow eye, leaves
Features : apiculate with a fine point,
primary veins perpendicular to
mid-rib.
Family : Verbenaceae
Species : Clerodendrum inerme (L.) Gaertn.
Common Name : Chiani
Occurrence : Much branched evergreen shrub
along river banks, very common
in Dangmal & North Mahisamada
forest blocks.
Flowering : In Bhitarkanika, March to August.
Fruiting : May to October.
Distinguishing Scaly under surface of leaves,
Features : white flowers with bright red
filaments, fruits 4-grooved, sepals-
5, petals-5, stamens-4, carpels-2,
calyx shortly toothed.
Family : Caesalpiniaceae
Species : Cynometra iripa Kostel
Common Name : Singada
Occurrence : Commonly spread over in almost
all the forest blocks in Kanika &
Rajnagar Range.
Germination : Large seeded, non-viviparous
germination.
Flowering : In Bhitarkanika, December to
February.
Fruiting : January to August
Distinguishing Evergreen small tree, style bent,
Features : prominent lateral beak in fruit,
sepals curved distally when
reflexed at anthesis.
Species : Cynometra ramiflora L.
Common Name : Singada
Occurrence : Very Rare. The author has not
been able to locate the species
so far.
Distinguishing Style straight, fruit without a
Features : prominent lateral beak, sepals not
curved distally when reflexed at
anthesis.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Dalbergia candenatensis (Dennst.) Prain
Common Name : Katha Katira Nai
Occurrence : Common in Dangmal,
Bhitarkanika & Ragadapatia forest
blocks in Kanika Range.
Flowering : May to August in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : June to September
Distinguishing Much branched climbing shrub,
Features : evergreen, perennial, leaflet
elliptic oblong, white flowers.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Dalbergia spinosa Roxb.
Common Name : Gohirakanta
Occurrence : Abundant in Dangmal forest block
in Kanika Range, Petchhela &
Kandarapatia forest blocks in
Mahanadi delta.
Flowering : July to February in Sundarban, in
Bhitarkanika, May to August.
Fruiting : July to September in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Shrub, flowers purple whitish,
Features : leaflets 9-11, alternate, obovate,
two woody spines at each node,
sepals-5, petals-5, stamens-10,
carpels-2, fruit pod, kidney-
shaped, one margin convex, the
other is concave with mid-
notched.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth.
Common Name : Dhala Katira Nai
forest block in Kanika Range,
Kharnasi & Kandarapatia blocks in
Mahakalapada Range.
Flowering : July to December in Sundarbans.
In Bhitarkanika, July to October.
Fruiting : September to December in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Much branched climbing shrub,
Features : evergreen, perennial, leaflet
elliptic oblong with acute tip, 3-6
pairs, pods 4 cm long, 1 cm wide,
thin, glabrous, two seeds in each
pod round with short grooved,
filaments 0.65 cm long, white.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Derris trifoliata Lour.
Common Name : Kala Katira Nai
Occurrence : Abundant in all the forest blocks
in Kanika Range, Rajnagar Range
& also in Mahanadi delta.
Flowering : April to August in Sundarban, in
Bhitarkanika, March-July.
Fruiting : April to September in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Climber, glabrous, leaflets 3-5,
Features : alternate, rose colored flowers,
pods flat and single seeded,
spread by root suckers, dark red,
strongly ridged younger stems
with prominent lenticel, leaflets
elliptic with, acuminate tip,
sepals-5, petal- 5, stamens (9+1),
carpels-2.
Species : Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) Kuntz.
Common Name : Maasitha
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to only DangmaI
& Bhitarkanika Forest Blocks in
Kanika Range.
Flowering : February in the 1st phase, August
in the 2nd phase.
Fruiting : March to July.
Distinguishing Compound leaf, whitish brown
Features : bark, foliage deciduous, leaflets
ovate, hairs on midrib beneath,
flowers numerous in dense
terminal, finely hairy spikes,
sepals-4 & unequal, petal solitary,
at first white but turning red.
Family : Convolvulaceae
Species : Ipomoea tuba (Sch.) G. Don
Occurrence : Hinterlands of coastal areas
beyond tidal reach, more in
Sanatubi, Badatubi forest blocks
in Mahanadi delta.
Flowering & Post monsoon &
Fruiting : winter, October to February.
Distinguishing Large twiner, corolla white,
Features : large with a long & narrow tube,
seeds tomentose with longer hairs
on the edges.
Family : Poaceae
Species : Myriostachya wightiana (Nees ex Steud.)
Hook. f.
Common Name : Nalia grass
Occurrence : Abundant along mudflats in
Kanika & Rajnagar Range along
with P. coarctata.
Flowering : June to January in Sundarbans. In
Bhitarkanika, June to October.
Fruiting : June to October in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Culms tufted, erect, stout,
Features : sheathed, leaf blade broad,
serrated, inflorescence panicles,
whorled flowering.
Family : Asclepiadaceae
Species : Pentatropis capensis (L. f.) Bullock
Common Name : Raigidi
Occurrence : Common in Dangmal forest block
in Kanika Range.
Flowering : April to October in Bhitarkanika
Fruiting : May to October.
Distinguishing Twining herb with milky
Features : latex, leaves small of size 2.5 cm
x 1.8 cm, corolla lobes lanceolate,
fruit follicle, 3-4 cm long,
cylindrical, tapering end.
Family : Poaceae
Species : Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin.
Common Name : Nala
Occurrence : A few pockets in Khola in Kanika
Range
Flowering : December to March in
Sundarbans. In Bhitarkanika,
September to January.
Fruiting : October-January.
Distinguishing Culms erect, stout, leaf blades
Features : flat, lanceolate, inflorescence
panicles.
Family : Poaceae
Species : Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka
Common Name : Dhani Dhana
Occurrence : Very common in the newly silted
up mud flats along the
Bhitarkanika creeks and Mahanadi
delta.
Germination : Non-viviparous (hypogeal).
Flowering : Middle of June to December in
Sundarbans. In Bhitarkanika,
August to September.
Fruiting : August to September rarely in
October.
Distinguishing Leaves acicular, margin
Features : spinulose serrate, grass.
Family : Hippocrateaceae
Species : Salacia prinoides DC.
Common Name : Batra
Occurrence : Very common in almost all the
forest blocks in Kanika Range.
Flowering : January to February.
Fruiting : January to May.
Distinguishing Scandent shrub, flowers
Features : yellowish, berry scarlet, globose.
Family : Chenopodiaceae
Species : Salicornia brachiata Roxb.
Common Name : Batula
Occurrence : Abundant along Khola creek &
river flatlands in the coastal
mangal like Raipatia & Jaudia in
Rajnagar Range.
Flowering & July to November.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Stem fleshy, nodes ridged easily
Features : separated, leaves simple, fleshy,
petals yellow, showy.
Species : Sarcolobus carinatus Wall.
Common Name : Lata Rai
Occurrence : Common in most of the forest
blocks but abundant in Dangmal
forest block.
Flowering : During monsoon i.e. July to
October in Sundarbans, in
Bhitarkanika, May to June.
Fruiting : July to November in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Climbing herb, exudes milky latex
Features : on injury, petiole upto 2.7 cm,
bracteate, fruit ellipsoid, keeled,
pale yellow, fleshy, fruit coat
terminated into a short beak,
inflorescence unbranched
corymb.
Species : Sarcolobus globosus Wall.
Common Name : Katukula
Occurrence : Restricted to Dangmal &
Bhitarkanika forest blocks in
Kanika Range.
Flowering & October to January.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Prostrate or climbing shrub,
Features : leaves elliptic, flower whitish
green, fruits follicle, globose &
brown, leafless during March.
Family : Cyperaceae
Species : Scirpus litoralis Schr.
Common Name : Sipal
Occurrence : Common sedge in marshy or
shallow brackish water zones of
Bhitarkanika.
Flowering & October to January
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Tall stout, perennial sedge. Stem
Features : erect, terete below and trigonous
upwards. Leaves reduced to
bladeless. Spikelets large, usually
distinct from one another on
short pedicels; involucral bract
erect, continuous with the stem,
triquetrous.
Family : Aizoaceae
Species : Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.
Common Name : Goda Bani
Occurrence : Common on muddy river banks
along river Maipura and
Baunsagarh.
Flowering & Post monsoon to winter,
Fruiting : October to January.
Distinguishing Creeping herb, red shining
Features : glabrous stems, sepals-5,
persistent, margin white pink,
corolla absent, stamens
numerous, carpels-3.
Species : Suaeda maritima (L.) Dumort
Common Name : Giria
Occurrence : Very common in hyper saline
areas like meadows in
Kalibhanjadia, prawn ponds in
Mahanadi delta.
Flowering & October to December.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Erect herb, spreading horizontal
Features : roots, leaves broad, green, styles-
2, seeds usually horizontal, leaf 1
cm long x 0.4 cm wide, grows
gregariously, acts as a soil binder.
Species : Suaeda monoica Forssk. ex Gmel.
Common Name : Giria / Ninia
English : Sea date
Occurrence : Occasional in Mahanadi delta and
Thakurdia FB, gregarious in tidal
mud.
Flowering & June to October.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Erect, many branched herb.
Features : Leaves linear, obtuse or sub-acute.
Flowers polygamous, in slender,
lax-spikes. Seed ovoid, smooth,
shining, black.
Species : Suaeda nudiflora (Wild.) Moq.
Common Name : Giria
Occurrence : Very common in hyper saline
areas like meadows in
Kalibhanjadia, prawn ponds in
Mahanadi delta.
Flowering & November to January.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Prostrate much branched herb
Features : having erect branches, leaves
semi terete, green but reddish
after maturation, styles-3 seeds
erect, leaf 3.0 cm long x 0.3 cm
wide.
Family : Aizoaceae
Species : Trianthema portulacastrum L.
Common Name : Puruni
Occurrence : Common weed in sandy places in
Mahanadi delta and Bhitarkanika.
Flowering & July to December
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Succulent herb with prostrate
Features : forked branches. Leaves opposite,
unequal, broadly obovate; base of
petiole sheathing with two stipule
like appendages. Flowers solitary,
sunk in the forks, pinkish.
BACK MANGROVES
Family : Sapindaceae
Species : Allophylus serratus (Roxb.) Kurz
Common Name : Khandakoli
Occurrence : Common along the bank of
Baunsagad river near
Krushnapriyapur and also in
Bhitarkanika
Flowering & August to October.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Much branched shrub. Leaves 3-
Features : foliate; leaflets elliptic, serrate;
central leaflet larger than the
lateral. Flowers white, clustered.
Fruit 1-2 lobed, glabrous, orange-
red on ripe.
Family : Salvadoraceae.
Species : Azima tetracantha Lam.
English Name : Mistle toe
Occurrence : Armed straggling shrub common
in Jaudia, Chinchiri,
Krushnapriyapur and
Bhitarkanika.
Flowering & Fruiting : March to May.
Distinguishing Straggling shrub; spines straight,
Features : paired in the leaf axils; branchlets
quadrangular. Leaves elliptic with
spinulose tip, greyish-green.
Flowers yellowish. Berries white.
Species : Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.
Common Name : Gilo
Occurrence : Common in Bhitarkanika block
along Gokhani creek and in
Orasahi block along Baunsagarh
creek.
Germination : Large seeded, non-viviparous.
Flowering & July to February.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Spines on fruit (pods prickly),
Features : leaflets 16-24 per pinna,
inflorescence always axillary,
flowers yellow, seeds grey.
Species : Caesalpinia crista L.
Common Name : Nentei
Occurrence : Very common climbing shrub in
mangrove forests of Kanika Range
& Rajnagar Range, less common
in Mahanadi delta (Petchhela
block).
Germination : Large seeded, non-viviparous.
Flowering : November to June in Sundarbans.
In Bhitarkanika March to
September.
Fruiting : April to December, rarely in
January.
Distinguishing Climbing shrub, pods not prickly,
Features : yellow colored flowers, leaflets
always opposite, 2-4 pairs per
pinna, inflorescence often
terminal, flowers bisexual, fruit
unarmed and seeds black.
Family : Amaryllidaceae
Species : Crinum defixum Ker Gawl.
Common Name : Pani Kenduli
Occurrence : Very common in less saline water
area, more in Dangmal &
Ragadapatia forest blocks in
Kanika Range.
Flowering : June to September in Sundarbans,
in Bhitarkanika, March-July.
Fruiting : June-July in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Erect herb upto 1.5 m, rhizome
Features : bulb, 5-10 white flowers on each
peduncle, a common thin white
layer cover the buds at young
stage, tepals-5, stamens-6,
carpels-2, leaf 100 cm long X 12
cm wide, anther 1.8 cm long.
Family : Cyperaceae
Species : Cyperus conglomeratus Rottb.
Common Name : Hanshi grass
Occurrence : Common sedge in marshy places
at Dangmal.
Flowering & Fruiting : June to October.
Family : Cyperaceae
Species : Cyperus corymbosus Rottb.
Common Name : Keuti grass
Occurrence : Common in Bhitarkanika &
Dangmal forest blocks in Kanika
Range.
Flowering : September-October.
Fruiting : October-December
Family : Loranthaceae
Species : Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Etting.
Local Name : Malanga
Occurrence : Parasite on Heritiera fomes tree
along Bhitarkanika river in
Dangmal forest block, on a
Sonneratia apetala tree along
Ganjeikhia creek & also growing
on Excoecaria agallocha tree in
MPCA, Kansaridiha.
Distinguishing Parasitic branched shrub, midrib
Features : red in young leaves, flowers
orange in racemes, subtended by
a single sub orbicular bract, petals
5.
Family : Bignoniaceae
Species : Dolichandrone spathacea (L. f.) K. Schum.
Common Name : Gosinga
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to Dangmal &
Ragadapatia forest blocks in
Kanika Range.
Flowering : November to March in
Sundarbans. In Bhitarkanika May
to June.
Fruiting : June to October in Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Leaves pinnately compound,
Features : leaflets 5.0 - 7.5 cm, seeds
rectangular with corky wings, long
tubed flower, young leaves often
reddish.
Family : Cyperaceae
Species : Fimbristylis ferruginea (L.) Vahl
Common Name : Luni grass
Occurrence : Common in marshy places in
brackish water zones of
Bhitarkanika forest block in Kanika
Range.
Flowering & Fruiting : July to November.
Species : Finlaysonia obovata Wall.
Common Name : Khasai Lata
Occurrence : Uncommon in Bhitarkanika &
Dangmal forest blocks.
Flowering & November to April
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Parasitic with succulent
Features : lanceolate to ovate leaves, large
evergreen climber having leaves
opposite, exudes milk, flowers
white or purple, corolla densely
hairy inside, seeds obovoid.
Family : Flagellariaceae
Species : Flagellaria indica L.
Common Name : Bahumruga
Occurrence : Common but restricted to
Dangmal & North Mahisamada
forest blocks in Kanika Range.
Flowering : February to August in Bhitarkanika.
Fruiting : April to October.
Distinguishing Tall herb, often climbing, drupe
Features : globose with a produced base
turning pinkish red on maturity.
Family : Boraginaceae
Species : Heliotropium curassavicum L.
English Name : Salt heliotrope
Occurrence : Restricted in hyper saline areas,
prefers to grow in open places
especially on aquaculture gherry
bonds in Mahakalapada Range
and also in Bhitarkanika.
Flowering & March to January
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Ascending herb with long tap
Features : root. Leaves lanceolate, shallowly
retuse, fleshy and silvery. Flowers
white in terminal, unilateral
spikes. Fruit globose.
Family : Malvaceae
Species : Hibiscus tiliaceus L.
Common Name : Bania
Occurrence : Abundant in Kanika Range,
common in Rajnagar Range and
uncommon in Mahanadi delta.
Germination : Small seeded without viviparous
germination.
Flowering : In Bhitarkanika, November to
January.
Fruiting : December to March in
Bhitarkanika.
Distinguishing Evergreen shrub, epicalyx
Features : present, petal light yellow, yellow-
white longitudinal veins upward,
crimson eye spot at base on inner-
side of flowers, stigma pink
yellow, initially yellow turning to
red later on.
Species : Hoya parasitica (Roxb.) Wall
Common Name : Hoya
Occurrence : Restricted to Bhitarkanika forest
block in Kanika Range.
Distinguishing Large epiphytic climber, leaves
Features : broadly elliptic-oblong, fleshy,
glabrous, yellowish green, grows
on old trees.
Family : Anacardiaceae
Species : Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.
Common Name : Mahi
English Name : Indian Ash Tree
Occurrence : Common in Mahanadi delta and
Bhitarkanika.
Flowering & March to June.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Moderate sized tree, leafless prior
Features : to flowering. Leaves 10-25 cm
long, clustered at the ends of thick
branchlets; leaflets 5-9 or more,
oblique at base, puberulous
beneath. Flowers small, yellowish
green, dioecious, fascicled on the
rachis of numerous recemes
crowded towards the ends of
leafless branchlets. Drupes red,
compressed.
Family : Rutaceae
Species : Merope angulata (Willd.) Swingle
Common Name : Bana Iembu
Occurrence : Rare & restricted to Dangmal &
Bhitarkanika Forest Blocks in
Kanika Range and fairly common
in Jamboo, Kansaridiha &
Hetamundia blocks in Mahanadi
delta.
Flowering : April to May.
Fruiting : June to September.
Distinguishing Flowers white, fruits triangular
Features : in section, 2 to 3 cm large, long
flattened seeds, shrubby tree with
paired spines.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Mucuna gigantea (Willd.) DC.
Common Name : Luna Baidanka
English Name : Sea Bean
Occurrence : Restricted to Khola and
Bhitarkanika forest blocks.
Germination : Large seeded without vivipary.
Flowering & Fruiting : September to March.
Distinguishing Woody perennial twiner. Leaflets
Features : ovate-elliptic, acuminate,
glabrous, lateral leaflets in
equilateral. Flowers in
umbelliform corymbs. Corolla
greenish-yellow. Pods winged on
both sutures, covered with
yellowish-brown irritant bristles.
Seeds 2-6 per pod, hilum
extending round more than half
the edge.
Family : Pandanaceae
Species : Pandanus fascicularis Lam.
Common Name : Ketaki kia
Occurrence : Restricted to Bhitarkanika forest
block in Kanika Range.
Flowering & March to November.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Male inflorescence sweet-
Features : scented, fruiting carpels without
an apical prickle.
Family : Pandanaceae
Species : Pandanus foetidus Roxb.
Common Name : Luni kia
Occurrence : Common in Khola creek, few in
Dangmal forest block in Kanika
Range.
Flowering : November to January.
Fruiting : April to June.
Distinguishing Much branched, male
Features : inflorescence foetid, fruiting
carpels with an apical prickle.
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre
Common Name : Karanja
Occurrence : Frequently grow in fresh water
zones along the creeks in Kanika
& Rajnagar Range.
Flowering & April to August. Pods hang up in
Fruiting : trees upto December.
Distinguishing Evergreen, leaves broadly ovate
Features : with acute tip, fruit flattened but
thick with blunt tip.
Family : Salvadoraceae
Species : Salvadora persica L.
Common Name : Miriga
Occurrence : Abundant all over the Park, more
in Dangmal forest block.
Flowering : February to April.
Fruiting : March to June.
Distinguishing Small evergreen tree, leaves
Features : elliptic-oblong, flowers greenish
white, 1.8 mm long, calyx lobes
rounded.
Family : Euphorbiaceae
Species : Sapium indicum Willd.
Common Name : Ghigidi
Occurrence : Common along khola creek near
Khola checkgate, also in Dangmal
forest block.
Distinguishing Leaves alternate,
Features : lanceolate-oblong, exudes white
latex, seeds ovoid, dark brown.
Family : Solanaceae
Species : Solanum trilobatum L.
Common Name : Nabhiankuri
English Name : Purple fruited Pea Egg Plant
Occurrence : Hinterlands of coastal areas
beyond tidal reach, more in
Hetamundia, Kantilo,
Krushnapriyapur forest blocks.
Flowering & Throughout the year.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Prickly climbing much branched
Features : shrub with sharp recurved
prickles. Leaves hastately 3-lobed
with stellate hairs; petiole prickly.
Flowers purple blue, in few
flowered terminal cymes. Berry
globose, turned red on maturity.
Family : Tamaricaceae
Species : Tamarix dioica Roxb.
Common Name : Jagula
Occurrence : Grows on riverbank flat land in
the saline soil above tidal zones
as in Satabhaya & Dangmal.
Flowering & July to October.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Leaves sheathing, apex
Features : acuminate, monoecious in short
close cylindric spikes, white or
pink, bracts triangular, capsules
oblong, tapering.
Family : Tamaricaceae
Species : Tamarix troupii H.
Common Name : Jagula
Occurrence : Commonly distributed in
mangrove reclaimed areas at
Dangmal & Satabhaya.
Flowering & November to March.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Leaves not sheathing, flowers
Features : bisexual, inflorescence in long
slender spikes, sometimes in
loose panicles, bracts spreading,
presence of leaf scars, older
trunks black brown, flower pink-
violet.
Family : Combretaceae
Species : Terminalia catappa L.
Common Name : Pesta Badam
Occurrence : Common in fringe area around
the Park.
Flowering & December to April.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Female flowers at base and
Features : male flowers distally, fruits of
almond shaped develop in
clusters at the base of the spike.
Family : Malvaceae
Species : Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corr.
Common Name : Habali
Occurrence : Common in Kalibhanjdia block
and also along the periphery of
the National Park.
Germination : Small seeded without viviparous
germination.
Flowering : November to March in
Sundarbans, in Bhitarkanika,
November to January.
Fruiting : In Bhitarkanika, December to
February.
Distinguishing Commonly grow above tidal
Features : zones, leaves deeply cordate,
pedicels erect, 1-5 cm long with a
bracteole joint very near the base,
seeds with long soft hair.
Species : Tylophora indica (Burm. f.) Merr.
Common Name : Anantamula
Occurrence : Restricted to sandy areas in
Barunei-Gahirmatha forest block
near Dobandhi.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Stems twining, more or less
Features : pubescent, flowers 10-15mm
across, follicles 2, lanceolate,
smooth, produced into an angular
beak.
Species : Tylophora tenuissima (Roxb.)
Wt. & Arn. ex Wt.
Common Name : Anantamula
forest block & Kharnasi block in
Mahanadi delta.
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Slender twining herb,
Features : stems twining & glabrous, leaves
ovate-elliptic, flowers purplish
brown, 3-4 mm across, follicles
linear- lanceolate
BEACH FLORA
Family : Fabaceae
Species : Canavalia maritima (Aubl.) Thouars
Occurrence : Sandy beaches of Ekakuia.
Distinguishing Prostrate herbs, stems with
Features : white silky hairs, leaflets orbicular
& silky when young, flowers pink,
pods straight, 4-6 seeded.
Family : Cyperaceae
Species : Cyperus arenarius Retz.
Common Name : Luni Mutha
Occurrence : Frequent on sand dunes on the
sea coast in Barunei-Gahirmatha
forest block.
Flowering & Fruiting : July to November.
Distinguishing Small herb with wiry creeping
Features : rootstock. Leaves terete and
fleshy, often recurved; sheaths
inflated, strongly striate at base.
Spikelets crowded in a single
terminal globose head, pale finally
brown. Stamens 3; anther tip red.
Nut black, unequally trigonous.
Family : Rubiaceae
Species : Hydrophylax maritima L. f.
Occurrence : Sandy beaches beyond tidal reach
at Babubali, Dobandhi.
Distinguishing Succulent herb with long creeping
Features : stems, leaves fleshy, ovate-elliptic,
flowers lilac, fruit oblong-ovoid.
Family : Convolvulaceae
Species : Ipomoea pes-caprae (L.) R. Br.
Common Name : Kansarilata
Occurrence : Prostrate creeping herb, common
in Ekakula, Babubali islands in
Bhitarkanika & also in Mahanadi
delta along the beach facing sea
beyond tidal reach.
Flowering & Post monsoon &
Fruiting : winter, October to February.
Distinguishing Leaf apex bifurcate, flower 5.5 cm
Features : long x 3.0 cm across, spine at the
base of filament, fruit capsule
with apical beak, with persistent
large calyx, reddish at margin,
sepals-5, 3 inner large, 2 outer
small, petals- 5, violet at base.
Family : Asteraceae
Species : Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) Schultz-Bip.
ex Kuntze
English Name : Beach Launaea
Occurrence : Common in sandy soil along the
coast near Beacon Point of
Mahanadi delta and also in
Dobandhi and Babubali.
Flowering & March to November
Fruiting :
Distinguishing Perennial, prostrate, stoloniferous
Features : herb, rooting at each rosette.
Leaves pinnatifid-sinuate, margins
denticulate, base attenuate.
Peduncles 1-3 cm long. Florets
yellow.
Family : Poaceae
Species : Spinifex littoreus (Burm.f.) Merr.
Common Name : Rabana
English Name : Littoral spine grass
Occurrence : Frequent in coastal sands near
Hetamundia, Barunei-Gahirmatha
forest blocks.
Flowering & Fruiting : September to February.
Distinguishing Stout, bushy grass with long
Features : underground stolons. Leaves long,
rigid, 10-15 cm long, squarrose,
recurved, margins serrulate. Male
heads sessile at the angles of
zigzag rachis. Spikelets 1 cm long,
glabrous. Female heads upto 32
cm diameter. Female spikelets 1-
1.2 cm long, partly sunken in the
base of needle like rachis which
is supported by distichous bracts.
REFERENCES
Ball, M.C. (1988a). Ecophysiology of mangroves. Trees, 2, 129-142.
Ball, M.C. (1988b). Salinity tolerance in the mangroves Aegiceras corniculatum and
Avicennia marina. I. Water use in relation to growth, carbon partitioning and
salt balance. Australian Journal of Plant Physiology, 15, 447-464.
Banerjee, L.K. (1984). Vegetation of the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary in Cuttack district of
Orissa, India. Journ. Econ. Tax. Bot. 5:1065-1079.
Clough, B. (2013). Continuing the journey amongst mangroves. ISME Mangrove
Educational Book Series No. 1. International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems
(ISME), Okinawa, Japan and International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO),
Yokohama, Japan.
Clough, B.F. (1984). Growth and salt balance of the mangroves Avicennia marina
(Forsk.) Vierh. and Rhizophora stylosa Griff. in relation to salinity. Aust. J. Plant
Physiol. 11:419-430.
Duke, N.C. (2006). Australia’s Mangroves. The authoritative guide to Australia’s
mangrove plants. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Haines, H.H. (1921-25). The Botany of Bihar and Orissa. Rep. Ed. Bot. Surv. India,
Calcutta, 1961.
Hogarth, P.I. (1999). The decline in Indus Delta mangroves: causes, consequences and
cures. In Mangrove Eco Systems: Natural Distribution, Biology and Management
(Bhat, N., Taha, F.K. and Al - Nasser, A.Y. eds). Pp 65-81. Kuwait Institute for
Scientific Research, Kuwait.
Jagtap, T.G., V.S. Chavan & A.G. Untawale (1993). Mangrove ecosystem of India. A
need for protection. Ambio 22(4): 252-254.
Kar, S.K. and H.R. Bustard (1986). Status of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus
Schneider) in the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa, India. Jour. of Bom.
Nat. Hist. Society, 86, Pp 140-150.
Mooney, H. (1950). Supplement to the Botany of Bihar and Orissa. Catholic Press,
Ranchi.
Polidoro, B.A., K.E. Carpenter, L. Collins et al. (2010). The loss of species : Mangrove
extinction risk and geographic areas of global concern. PLOS ONE, 5 : e10095.
Popp, M. (1984a). Chemical composition of Australian mangroves. I. Inorganic ions
and organic acids. Zietschrift Pflanzenphysiology, 113, 395-409.
Popp, M. (1984b). Chemical composition of Australian mangroves. II. Low molecular
weight carbohydrates. Zietschrift Pflanzenphysiology, 113, 411-421.
Spalding, M., M. Kainuma & L. Collins (2010). World Atlas of Mangroves. Earthscan,
UK, USA, Pp. 1-319.
Tomlinson, P.B. (1986). The Botany of Mangroves. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge, London, New York, Pp. 1-414.
Wang, L., M. Mu, X. Li, P. Lin & W. Wang (2010). Differentiation between true mangroves
and mangrove associates based on leaf traits and salt contents. Journal of Plant
Ecology, 1-10. Doi: 10.1093/jpe/itq008.
INDEX TO BOTANICAL NAMES
Acanthus ilicifolius 26 Ipomoea pes-caprae 56
Acanthus volubilis 26 Ipomoea tuba 32
Acrostichum aureum 27 Kandelia candel 18
Aegialitis rotundifolia 10 Lannea coromandelica 47
Aegiceras corniculatum 11 Launaea sarmentosa 57
Aglaia cucullata 27 Lumnitzera racemosa 19
Allophylus serratus 40 Merope angulata 47
Avicennia alba 11 Mucuna gigantea 48
Avicennia marina 12 Myriostachya wightiana 33
Avicennia officinalis 12 Nypa fruticans 19
Azima tetracantha 40 Pandanus fascicularis 48
Brownlowia tersa 13 Pandanus foetidus 49
Bruguiera cylindrica 13 Pentatropis capensis 33
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza 14 Phoenix paludosa 20
Bruguiera parviflora 14 Phragmites karka 34
Bruguiera sexangula 15 Pongamia pinnata 49
Caesalpinia bonduc 41 Porteresia coarctata 34
Caesalpinia crista 41 Rhizophora apiculata 20
Canavalia maritima 55 Rhizophora mucronata 21
Cerbera odollam 28 Rhizophora stylosa 21
Ceriops decandra 15 Salacia prinoides 35
Ceriops tagal 16 Salicornia brachiata 35
Clerodendrum inerme 28 Salvadora persica 50
Crinum defixum 42 Sapium indicum 50
Cynometra iripa 29 Sarcolobus carinatus 36
Cynometra ramiflora 29 Sarcolobus globosus 36
Cyperus arenarius 55 Scirpus litoralis 37
Cyperus conglomeratus 42 Sesuvium portulacastrum 37
Cyperus corymbosus 42 Solanum trilobatum 51
Dalbergia candenatensis 30 Sonneratia alba 22
Dalbergia spinosa 30 Sonneratia apetala 22
Dendrophthoe falcata 43 Sonneratia caseolaris 23
Derris scandens 31 Sonneratia griffithii 23
Derris trifoliata 31 Spinifex littoreus 57
Dolichandrone spathacea 43 Suaeda maritima 38
Excoecaria agallocha 16 Suaeda monoica 38
Fimbristylis ferruginea 44 Suaeda nudiflora 39
Finlaysonia obovata 44 Tamarix dioica 51
Flagellaria indica 45 Tamarix troupii 52
Heliotropium curassavicum 45 Terminalia catappa 52
Heritiera fomes 17 Thespesia populnea 53
Heritiera kanikensis 17 Trianthema portulacastrum 39
Heritiera littoralis 18 Tylophora indica 53
Hibiscus tiliaceus 46 Tylophora tenuissima 54
Hoya parasitica 46 Xylocarpus granatum 24
Hydrophylax maritima 56 Xylocarpus mekongensis 24
Intsia bijuga 32 Xylocarpus moluccensis 25

Publication File 1950704990

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Publication File 1950704990

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Publication File 1950704990

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Mangroves of Odisha

Forest & Environment Department

Published by : Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife), Rajnagar

Printed by : Jyoti Graphics

Bhitarakanika National Park and Bhitarakanika Sanctuary notified as

I am happy that mangrove forest division (Wildlife, Rajnagar) is bringing

(Dr. Mona Sharma)

Mangrove Forest Division (Wildlife) Rajnagar had earlier brought out

I am confident that this book with updated information will be of

(Sushil Kumar Popli)

MANGROVES OF ODISHA COAST

* Area in Km2 as per the India State of Forest Report 2021

* Area in Km2 as per the India State of Forest Report 2021

DISTRICT WISE MANGROVE FORESTS COVER IN ODISHA:

* Area in Km2 as per the India State of Forest Report 2021

TRUE MANGROVE SPECIES

You might also like