Avicennia is a genus of currently placed in the bear's breeches family, Acanthaceae. It contains mangrove , which occur in the of Estuary areas and are characterized by its "pencil roots", which are aerial roots. They are also commonly known as api api, which in the Malay language means "fires", a reference to the fact that Firefly often congregate on these trees.[ Api-api Putih ( Avicennia alba) The Tide Chaser. Retrieved 2012-02-08.] Species of Avicennia occur worldwide south of the Tropic of Cancer.
The taxonomic placement of Avicennia is contentious. In some classifications, it has been placed in the family Verbenaceae, but more recently has been placed by some botanists in the monogeneric family Avicenniaceae. Recent Phylogenetics studies have suggested that Avicennia is derived from within Acanthaceae, and the genus is included in that family in the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group system.
Designation of species is made difficult by the great variations in form of Avicennia marina. Between eight and 10 species are usually recognised, with A. marina further divided into a number of subspecies.
The generic name honours Persian people Islamic medicine Avicenna (980–1037).
Description
Members of the genus are among the most salt-tolerant mangroves and are often the first to colonise new deposits of sediment. The sap is salty, and excess salt is secreted through the leaves. The spreading root system provides stability in shifting substrates. Vertical roots called
project from the mud, thus the term "pencil roots". These are used in gas exchange as very little oxygen is available in the mud. The flowers are fragrant and rich in
nectar, and are pollinated by insects. The embryos exhibit cryptovivipary, a process where they start to develop before the seed is shed, but do not break through the outside of the fruit capsule.
[ Api Api Mangrove and wetland wildlife at Sungei Buloh Nature Park. Retrieved 2012-02-08,]
List of species
Eight species are currently accepted:
[ Avicennia L. Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 21 August 2024.]
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Avicennia alba Blume
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Avicennia balanophora Stapf & Moldenke
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Avicennia bicolor Standl.
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Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
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Avicennia integra N.C.Duke
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Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.
[ Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. Plants of the World Online, Kew Science. Accessed 19 March 2023.]
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A. m. subsp. australasica (Walp.) J.Everett
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A. m. subsp. eucalyptifolia (Valeton) J.Everett
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A. m. subsp. marina
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A. m. var. rumphiana (Hallier f.) Bakh.
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Avicennia officinalis L.
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Avicennia schaueriana Stapf & Leechm. ex Moldenke
Further reading
External links
