Sonneratia alba

Sonneratia alba is a mangrove tree in the family Lythraceae. The specific epithet alba is from the Latin meaning 'white', referring to the flowers. Sonneratia alba grows up to 40 metres (130 ft) tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70 centimetres (30 in). The cracked to fissured bark is brownish, turning grey below the tidal mark. The flowers are white, pink at their base. The dark green fruits measure up to 5 cm (2 in) long. Sonneratia alba grows naturally in many tropical and subtropical areas from East Africa to the Indian subcontinent, southern China, the Ryukyu Islands, Indochina, Malesia, Papuasia, Australia and the Western Pacific region. Its habitat is sheltered sandy seashores and tidal creeks. In Borneo S. alba is used as firewood. In Sulawesi the wood is used in the construction of houses and ships.