Rhizophora apiculata

Rhizophora apiculata - Manado

Rhizophora apiculata belongs to the Plantae kingdom under the Rhizophoraceae family. The shrub size depends on geographical factors (climate and soil specifically). On average a mature R. apiculata shrub reaches between 5 – 8 metres in height although it has the potential to reach up to 30 – 40 metres.[4]

The dimensions of the trunk depend on the age of the plant. When mature the diameter reach 50 cm, and is typically dark grey.[5] The trunk size is highly dependent on the nutrients within the soil as they will be the underlying factor for growth since water is not usually a limiting factor in its habitats.

The openings established by the cork warts enable a pathway for air to be trapped within the aerenchyma that is then stored. The air after being stored is heated by the sun causing the air to expand and enlarge the leaf. Aerenchyma in plants are integral for growth and functionality alongside enabling roots to function in ‘oxygen deprived’ (anoxic) substrates.[6]

Due to the differences in morphology between R. apiculata with vs. without cork warts an added effect can be seen contributing to a reduced amount of light intake as the cross section for chlorophyll will be limited as a result. This will overall limit the growth potential between R. apiculata with vs. without cork warts as if environmental were controlled a reduction in growth potential will occur.[7]

These were originally thought to be exclusive to R. apiculata however R. racemosa have also shown this same trait develop.[4] The distribution of R. apiculata plays a role in whether this adaptation will be present or not with regions north and west of the New Guinea coast having this trait present whereby south and east of the New Guinea coast don't have this trait.[4] The presence of this adaptation is directly related to the environment in which its located as anoxic substrates will likely have this characteristic due to it being favourable to survivability.

R. apiculata also has two types of adventitious roots; aerial prop roots and stilt roots. Both types of roots are an adaptation undertaken due to environmental factors, designed to withstand/resist; large waves, rough tides, strong winds and tropical storms.[8] Roots also have two main forces that govern the amount of water uptake potential. These include hydrostatic (which distributes the water taken up by the root to each of its organs) and osmotic force (uses negative water pressure in the roots to suck up water from the soil).[9]

Example of aerial roots in the rubber fig (Ficus elastica)

Due to the habitat in which R. apiculata occurs, the roots possess a special trait designed to anchor the plant to the soil.[5][10] It still acts as a normal root through in-taking both water and nutrients with the only difference being it descends from the branches. Aerial roots anchor the plant to the soil in this case due to the soil being heavily saturated with water, movement of the plant without aerial prop roots will lead to the plant being uprooted (separation from the soil leading to plant death).[10]

Tall-stilt mangroves (R. apiculata)

Stilt roots are lateral roots that originate from the base of the stem downwards into the substrate. Another very common type of root possessed by R. apiculata is stilt roots that act as an additional support and anchor.[11] The location of the R. apiculata will determine the type of effect placed onto the stilt root for instance; if the stilt root grows downward and finds water then it will continuously grow downwards until soil from the ocean floor or it meets a substrate it can grow around. If the stilt root reaches soil first it will grow underground expanding the root system then grows additional stilt roots from the original that grew unilaterally upwards.[12] This process is necessary for the plant to increase carbon sequestration alongside providing additional stability from being uprooted. Including R. apiculata there are a variety of mangrove plants that possess stilt roots for instance R. mucronata, and R. stylosa.[12]

The process of roots absorbing both water and nutrients is a fundamental process responsible for growth, however due to the environment in which R. apiculata grows being notably high in salt levels.[4] The roots undergo a process called ultra-filtration to eliminate any salt from entering the plant however any salt taken up will be stored in old leaves that will eventually fall and die eliminating the salt capacity within the plant.

R. apiculata is found within the mangrove ecosystem; a unique and complex location known for its humid climate, saline environment, waterlogged soils and capable of tolerating salinity ranging from 2-90%.[13]

The habitat of R. apiculata is the mangroves for which there are common similarities among all mangroves around the world. These include; saline, anoxic, acidic and frequently waterlogged conditions for which the majority of nutrients are brought in via tidal inundation (the use of waves and water movement to move sediments thus supplying nutrients).[14] As R. apiculata occurs over a variety of locations a detailed summary of the soil composition is unobtainable as they are ever changing and vary based on location.

There is currently a positive correlation between R. apiculata and improving water quality through “filtration, adsorption, co-sedimentation, absorption, and microbial decomposition”.[15] As a result of water quality improvement the likelihood of diseases caused by bacteria, parasites, fungi, and environmental pressure impacting both flora and fauna will be reduced. This reduction is especially essential as a recent study by Dai et al. (2020) found data supporting microbiota being able to reduce the numbers of mud crab exponentially which are a key driver within the mangrove ecosystem.[15]

Mangrove mud crab

This impacts the aquatic animals positively as Dai et al. (2020) deduced that R. apiculata is able to change the composition of mud crab gut microbiota.[15] This change will lead to the mud crab living longer and healthier with an added effect being on the crustacean's weight. This idea revolves around microbiota in which due to R. apiculata positively influencing this it will in turn positively influences the marine life in which it resides.[15][16]

The distribution of mangroves are directly linked with the distribution of R. apiculata, whereby it is primarily located on the equator in tropical landscapes including tropical Asia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Hainan, Malaysia and Northern Australia.[4] As noted within the physiology associated with R. apiculata the distribution will be closely linked to the favoured characteristics of this plant to its environment.

R. apiculata undertakes reproduction through two methods; viviparity and wind dispersal. Viviparity occurs when the embryo grows through the seed coat whilst still attached to the plant prior to dropping into the water.[17][18] Once dropped into water it will travel and if a suitable site for germination occurs it will establish itself. The other method for reproduction occurs as flowers are self-compatible and usually wind pollinated.[18]

It was and still is an integral aspect plant that has been exploited due to its availability and quality of timber. Currently there are plantations preexisting that allow for R. apiculata to be farmed and transformed into charcoal; resulting in renewable energy alongside potential income sources.[19] Amongst the physical uses associated with the wood of R. apiculata the bark itself is also rich in a chemical Tannin commonly used to strengthen fishing lines, ropes and nets. Amongst this the bark also acts as a leather tanning and antidote to dysentery (intestinal inflammation).

Due to R. apiculata being rich in tannin, the chemical extracts from bark, roots and leaves naturally inhibits a variety of fungal infections; for instance ethanol extracts from R. apiculata inhibit Candida albicans, a common type of yeast infection.[20] As seen within Baishya et al. (2020) extraction procedures include drying, shortly followed by grinding the bark, leaves and roots, the organic solvents will be used in crude extraction followed by a rotor evaporator.

Due to these factors it's been hypothesised that the spread of the species east was assisted by indigenous people. Aboriginal used R. apiculata for food; harvesting mangrove worms, medically; to treat sores and for ceremonial armbands however due to the chemical composition of the bark it was also used as firewood.[21]