Common Name: Looking Glass Tree

General Information

Heritiera littoralis is a slow-growing, low-branched, evergreen tree with a wide, dense crown of thick, horizontal branches; it usually grows from 10 - 15 metres tall but with occasional specimens up to 25 metres[, ]. The bole can be twisted and stunted, often branching from low-down; it can be 40 - 60cmcm in diameter with low, thin, plank-like buttresses about 30cm high and extending far-out[].
The tree is often exploited in the wild, especially for its strong and durable timber. It is also cultivated as an ornamental, being valued particularly for its unusual leaves which are glossy and beautifully quilted with curious, opaquely silvered undersides that reflect the light[].
Although it is widespread and common, the tree is threatened by the loss of mangrove habitat throughout its range, primarily due to extraction and coastal development, and there has been an estimated 20% decline in mangrove area within its range since 1980[]. The tree is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[].

Known Hazards

The roots are used as a fish poison[]. The poisonous activity of the roots to fish is due to the presence of sesquiterpenoids such as heritonin and vallapin[].

Botanical References

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Range

Coastal regions, from eastern Africa, through tropical Asia to Australia and the Pacific Islands.

Habitat

Mangrove forests[]. Transient zone from mangrove to fresh water swamp (landward side), rocky and sandy coasts, behind mangrove; often in mangrove on dryer places; near sea-level[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid lowland tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 600 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime annual temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, though it can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 1,500 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 3,000mm[].
Prefers a freely draining, fertile, moisture-retentive, sandy soil and a sunny position[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7[]. Although it grows in mangrove swamps, this species seems intolerant of high salinity[]. It can tolerate occasional inundation by salt water so long as the salt is then flushed out by fresh water[].
Trees can flower all year round[].

Edible Uses

The seed is occasionally eaten[, , ], and has been used as a substitute for cola nuts (Cola spp.)[].
The seed oil is characterized by high contents of the cyclopropenoic acids malvalic acid (54%) and sterculic acid (12.5%)[].

Medicinal

A root decoction is used to treat mouth infection and toothache[].

A seed extract is used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery[, ].

Other Uses

The bark contains 12 - 15% tannin on a dry weight basis. It is used for toughening nets[, ].
The seed also contains tannins[].

The twigs are used as toothbrushes[, ].

The poisonous activity of the roots to fish is due to the presence of sesquiterpenoids such as heritonin and vallapin. The latter compound has also shown activity against boll weevils[].

The heartwood is reddish brown or dark brown, often with a chocolate or purple tinge[]. The wood is hard, strong and durable, the grain interlocked, texture fine and even[, , ]. It often smells like leather[]. The timber is difficult to season, being subject to considerable end splitting and surface checking. It rapidly blunts edged tools due to the presence of silica, but turns fairly well and takes a good finish. The wood is moderately durable when exposed to the weather or in contact with the ground; a life of 3 years in contact with the ground under tropical conditions is probably as much as can be expected. In durability tests in Tanzania, fungi showed a particularly high affinity for Heritiera littoralis wood. The wood is not susceptible to powder-post beetles, and is reported to be resistant to marine borers, but not always to termites. It is probably difficult to impregnate with preservative because gum-like deposits are present. It is used for ships' masts when sufficiently straight and long, as well as for house posts, joists, wheel hubs, boat ribs, furniture, rice pounders and other domestic articles[, , , ]. It is recommended for steamed bentwork[].
The wood pulp is suitable for the production of wrapping, writing and printing paper[].
It is an excellent firewood, having a high energy value[].

Propagation

Seed - the fruits float in water, with the ridge upwards, and the seeds germinate readily in muddy substrates. When washed up on a beach, the flattened base of the fruit weakens, allowing moisture to penetrate. The fruit is split by the extruding thick, hard radicle, which develops into a primary root penetrating deeply into the soil[]. The primary root branches soon, and subsequently the plumule extrudes[].
Cuttings of mature wood.

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