Kandelia obovata
Kandelia obovata (Traditional Chinese: 水筆仔、秋茄樹) is a species of plant in the Rhizophoraceae family, i.e. a kind of mangrove. It is mainly found in Southern China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The florescence period of this species is between May and July. The flowers of it are white and like a star. In Autumn, they usually fructify with cone-like fruits, and their seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. Once germinated, the seedling grows and forms a propagule (a seedling ready to go), which can produce its own food via photosynthesis. After 3 to 6 months, when the propagule is mature, it drops into the water where it can then be transported great distances. Propagules can survive desiccation and remain dormant for weeks, months, or even over a year until they arrive in a suitable environment. Once a propagule is ready to root, it will change its density so that the elongated shape now floats vertically rather than horizontally. In this position, it is more likely to become lodged in the mud and root. If it does not root, it can alter its density so that it floats off again in search of more favorable conditions.
As a kind of mangrove, they grow in saline (brackish) coastal habitats, and are mass planted in order to check winds, control sand and protect dikes.
Reference
- 臺南市紅樹林保護協會網站。民國九十五年。水筆仔，http://mpatc2003.myweb.hinet.net/e1_mangroves_Kandelia_candel.htm
- 滬尾文史工作室。民國七十九年。紅樹林∼水筆仔，http://chwk.huwei.com.tw/p3/redt/p3a02.htm
- 林園紅樹林生態區網站。民國九十一年。紅樹林生態－水筆仔，http://163.16.16.4/lk5121/life/my_family2/treefamily_01.htm