Avicennia L.

2 species in Aust.; all states and territories except Tas.

Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.australasica (Walp.) J.Everett

Small trees. Leaves opposite, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, glabrous, shining on the upper surface, whitish below, 5–8 cm long. Flowers in small, dense cymes on angular peduncles in the upper axils or in terminal panicles. Calyx divided to the base into 5 segments. Corolla white becoming orangish; tube shorter than the sepals; lobes ovate, longer than the tube. Stamens 4, inserted in the throat. Fruit a compressed capsule, c. 3 cm diam. Seed solitary, without integuments; the embryo with 2 large cotyledons folded longitudinally, germinating before the fruit drops. Saltwater swamps and on estuarine muds. Fl. spring–summer. Grey Mangrove