海莲 hai lian

Rhizophora sexangula Loureiro, Fl. Cochinch. 1: 297. 1790; Bruguiera eriopetala Wight & Arnott; B. sexangula var. rhyn chopetala W. C. Ko.

Trees 6-8(-15) m tall, d.b.h. 15-35 cm. Bark gray to pale brown, smooth. Stipules green or yellowish, 3.5-4 cm. Petiole yellowish, 1.5-3.5 cm; leaf blade elliptic, elliptic-oblong, or rarely oblanceolate, 8-13(-16) × 3-6 cm, base cuneate to rarely obtuse, apex acute. Pedicel 6-12 mm. Flowers solitary, yellow, 2.7-4 cm. Calyx tube 1-1.5 cm; lobes 9-13, ca. 2 cm. Petals 1-1.5 cm, margin with a tuft of hairs, apex 2-lobed; lobes obtuse, with 1 or 2 short bristles less than 1.5 mm, bristles not exceeding lobes. Stamens 0.7-1.4 cm. Style 1.5-2.2 cm, apical branches to 0.5 mm. Fruit 1.5-1.8 cm. Fruiting calyx tube ± distinctly ribbed. Hypocotyl cigar-shaped, ± angular, 6-8 cm. Fl. autumn, fr. spring.

Mangrove forests; sea level. Hainan [Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam; Pacific islands].