Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Lumnitzera racemosa Willd.

195

COMBRETACEAE

Common name: Black mangrove

Dhivehi name: Burevi
Status: Common; found along the boarder of closed and open lagoons
both in the northern and the southern islands. Natural regeneration is
very high.
Description: An evergreen, medium sized, erect and much-branched tree that grows
up to 10 m tall but in the Maldives most of the trees are only around 4 to 6 m in
height. Above-ground breathing roots are normally absent but in moist environments,
small looping lateral roots may develop. Bark is grey in colour and fissured
longitudinally in older trees. Leaves are simple, alternate in arrangement, small in
size, 3 to 7 cm long and 2 to 3 cm wide, succulent, obovate in shape with an indent
in the tip; leaf margin is slightly wavy. Inflorescence is spike, 2 to 3 cm long and
axillary in position. Flowers are small and erect with green-coloured tube-like calyx,
which is divided into five lobes at the tip. Petals are five, white in colour and arranged
alternate to sepals. Stamens are ten in number, free, arranged in two whorls, five
stamens at the base of the petal and remaining five at the base of the lobes of the
calyx. There is no vivipary or cryptovivipary. Fruit is vase-shaped, 1 to 2 cm long,
yellowish green in colour, glossy, corky, buoyant and dispersed by currents. Each
fruit contains one oblong ovoid seed.
Uses: Main trunk provides a hard and durable timber. In the Maldives, timber is used
for wooden house construction and sticks of lesser diameter are used for rafters on
wooden roof houses. Larger wood is sometimes used in boat building. Stems are used
for pushing boats in shallow water. It is considered as excellent firewood. Highquality charcoal is prepared from larger stems.
Ecology, propagation and management: It prefers relatively less moist, well drained,
sandy soil mixed with clay for better performance. It also prefers relatively higher
ground level than other mangrove plants. It is a non-viviparous mangrove species
and seeds are similar to terrestrial plants. It is normally propagated by nursery-raised
seedlings and wildlings. Mature fruits are brown in colour and can be easily collected
from trees or gathered from ground. Fruits are normally used for planting instead of
seeds. Fruits are sown in a slanting position in containers, keeping half of the fruit
inside the mud. Fruits should be stored in wet condition for three to five days before
sowing. Germination rate decreases with increasing salinity and no germination will
be seen if the salinity increases beyond 25 ppt. Nursery-raised seedlings 20 to 30 cm,
which can be obtained within a period of ten months, can be used for outplanting.

Pemphis acidula - Kuredhi, keredhi

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Pemphis acidula J.R. & G. Forst.

197

LYTHRACEAE

Common name: Iron wood

Dhivehi names: Kuredhi, keredhi
Status: Abundant; grows along the beaches of almost all islands and
forms contiguous stands in many places.
Description: An evergreen, much-branched, slow growing shrub or small tree 4 to 6
m tall with crooked and twisted stem. The lower branches, even though dry, are
persistent and rigid, and as the trees grow very closely, they form impenetrable
thickets. No prominent aerial roots are present. Twigs are angular and hairy. Bark is
light grey to brown, flaky in old trees. Leaves are simple, opposite in arrangement,
oblong to lanceolate in shape, 0.5 to 2.2 cm long and 0.2 to 1 cm wide, round or
bluntly acute at the tip and hairy on both the sides. Inflorescence is one to a few
flowered cymes, axillary in position and hairy. Flowers are white or pinkish-white in
colour and 0. 7 to 1.0 cm across; calyx is tubular, 12- lobed, green in colour and hairy.
Petals are six, white and inserted between calyx lobes. Fruit is tubular with rounded
apex, about 1 cm long and 0.3 to 0.5 cm wide, densely hairy and green in young and
brown when matured. Each fruit contains 20 to 30 small seeds.
Uses: It is one of the most favoured timbers in the Maldives. Heartwood is very hard,
heavy, strong and durable and resistant to wood-boring molluscs and termites. It is
used for boat building, particularly for internal beams and pegs to hold together
planks. It is also favoured for carved objects such as tool handles (long knife, axe
etc.), chess coins, toys and other handicrafts. It is a preferred firewood but with a
very hot flame.
Ecology, propagation and management: It grows on a variety of soil including
coastal fine sand, coastal limestone rock, cliffs, coral conglomerate, limestone bedrock
outcrops of atolls etc. It is able to grow in places where seawater wet its roots regularly
during the high tide. It is propagated by seeds, wildlings and roots suckers. Seeds are
not directly sown in the field. Nursery-raised seedlings are used for outplanting.
Mature fruits can be easily identified by their brown colour and each fruit contains 20
to 30 very small seeds which can be collected by gently pressing the matured fruits.
Collected seeds should be subjected to floating test and seeds that float are viable.
Seeds may be kept soaked for one to two days before planting in containers. Nurseryraised seedlings 15 to 20 cm can be used for outplanting. Propagation by wildlings is
relatively less successful compared to nursery raised seedlings. It can also be propagated
by planting straight stems with roots in suitable places. It needs to be pruned to get
straight poles.

Rhizophora apiculata - Thakafathi

199

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Rhizophora apiculata Bl.

RHIZOPHORACEAE

Synonyms: Rhizophora candelaria, Rhizophora conjugata

Dhivehi name: Thakafathi
Status: Rare; a few individuals are found in the northern islands
Description: An evergreen, medium sized, much-branched tree that is capable of
reaching 20 m height but most of the individuals found in Maldives are only about
6 to 10 m tall. It is characterized by the presence of numerous stilt roots, which are
looping from branches and trunk bases and provide support to trees; they also
function as air-breathing roots. Bark is grey or dark grey in colour and sometimes
longitudinally fissured. Leaves are simple, opposite in arrangement, narrowly elliptic,
apiculate (with abrupt slender tip) and smaller than that of other Rhizophora species.
Inflorescence is a two-flowered cyme on short, stout, dark grey peduncle and axillary
in position. Calyx is four lobed, greenish yellow inside and reddish green outside.
Petals are four in number and white coloured; not hairy. Viviparous propagules are
shorter than that of R. mucronata, 25 to 30 cm long, green to brown in colour, warty
or relatively smooth, buoyant and dispersed by currents.
Uses: Wood, which is light weight and less durable, is not widely used. It is sometimes
used for docking the boat for repair and poles are used for boat plying. Stilt root,
which becomes smooth after removing the bark, was once used for window frames in
traditional houses. Though it is an excellent firewood, in the Maldives it is not used
for this purpose.
Ecology, propagation and management: It prefers deep soft mud for better performance
but is capable of growing in sandy soil and coral ramparts. In unfavourable conditions,
it develops a straggling or semi-prostrate habit. It is easily propagated by propagules.
Matured propagules can be identified by the red collar in the cotyledon. They can be
collected from trees or gathered from ground and water. If fallen propagules are used,
their surface should be checked for pinholes caused by borer insects. Propagules can
be stored for five days in buckets filled with brackish water. Daily dousing with water
is necessary to prevent desiccation. Propagules can be directly planted by inserting
one-third of their length into sediments. Nursery-raised seedlings can also be used
for plantation. Seedlings of at least 30 cm in height and at least with four leaves and
kept in nursery for four to five months should be used for outplanting. Survival rate
and performance is similar both in direct planting of propagules and planting of
nursery-raised seedlings.

Rhizophora mucronata - Randoo

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Rhizophora mucronata Poir.

201

RHIZOPHORACEAE

Synonym: Rhizophora macrorrhiza

Dhivehi name: Randoo
Status: Occasional; found growing as pure stand or mixed with Bruguiera
spp. both in the northern and southern islands. Natural regeneration is
found to be moderate.
Description: An evergreen, medium to tall tree that may reach 25 to 30 m height. As
in the case of Rhizophora apiculata numerous, much-branched, hoop or pile-like stilt
roots loop from branches and stems and provide support to trees. These stilt roots
also function as above-ground breathing roots. Bark is brown or reddish, smooth
and sometimes scaly. Leaves are single, opposite, leathery, broadly elliptic to oblongelliptic in shape with very distinct black dots on the under surface and tipped with
fine spine (mucor). Leaf stalk is 3 to 5 cm long. Inflorescence is dichotomously
branched cyme, four to eight flowered and axillary in position; peduncle is slender,
yellow and 2 to 3 cm long (in Rhizophora apiculata peduncle is stout and dark grey
in colour). Flowers are creamy white, fleshy and fragrant. Calyx is deeply four lobed
and pale yellow. Petals are four in number, light yellowish, densely haired along the
margin. Viviparous propagules are longer than that of Rhizophora apiculata, 40 to
70 cm long, 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter, cylindrical, warty, green to yellowish green in
colour, buoyant and dispersed by currents.
Uses: Stilt root, which becomes smooth after removing the bark, was used in the past
to make windows of traditional houses. Bark of the tree is used as a dying agent for
fishing lines. Dye produced from the bark is very thick and paint like, which makes
fishing lines water proof. Wood is light weight, less durable and small in size due to
short and crooked trunk. Poles are used for boat plying. Small pieces of wood are
used for docking the boats for repair. In many countries very fine quality charcoal are
produced from the wood.
Ecology, propagation and management: It grows well in deep soft mud, which is rich
in humus. It is also capable of growing well in fine sands to coarse stones and coral
ramparts. In higher salinity it develops a straggling or semi-prostate habit. It can be
easily multiplied by propagules. Mature propagules have light green or yellow cotyledon
and they can be collected from trees or gathered from the forest floor and water.
Propagules of about 50 cm that have not yet started rooting alone are used for
plantation. They can be planted by inserting one-third of their length into the mud.
Sprouting completes within three weeks and in ten months it grows to a height of
100 to 125 cm.

Sonneratia caseolaris - Kuhlhavah

203

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl.

SONNERATIACEAE

Synonyms: Sonneratia acida, Rhizophora caseolaris

Common names: Crabapple, mangrove apple
Dhivehi name: Kuhlhavah
Status: Occasional; found growing as pure stand with a few individuals
both in the northern and the southern group of islands.
Description: A small- to medium- sized sized, evergreen tree 8 to 10 m tall with open
spreading crown, horizontal branches and slender twigs. Above-ground branching
roots (pneumatophores) are peg like, 50 to 90 cm tall and up to 7 cm in diameter with
spongy outer surface. Bark is grey and flaky in the older trees. Leaves are simple and
shiny; opposite in arrangement, oval to oblong in shape; apex is rounded but with a
prominent recurved tip. Leaves are 4 to 8 cm long with short petiole having a reddishpink base. Inflorescence is one to a few flowered cyme, terminal in position on outer
twigs. Flowers are large, 8 to 10 cm wide with prominent red and white stamens;
calyx six to eight lobed and green coloured and petals are red. Flowers open only in
the late evening, lasting one night only; nectar is plenty in the calyx. Fruit is round
but flattened, green in colour, with horizontally extended calyx and persistent long
style.
Uses: Timber is heavy and hard, resistant to wood boring molluscs and other pests.
In the Maldives, it is used for boat building and house construction. Fruit is edible,
which tastes like cheese, is eaten raw and relished by children and adult alike. It is
also sold in the market. It some countries fruits are used in and for making vinegar.
Pieces of pneumatophores are used as fishing floats.
Ecology, propagation and management: It is normally found in the places of mangrove
wetlands where soil and running water salinity is low. However, it can tolerate soil
salinity upto 35 ppt. In the Maldives, it is located mostly around very shallow
depressions situated somewhat away from the shoreline. It is propagated mainly by
nursery-raised seedlings. Mature fruits detach easily from the calyx and float in the
water. They can be easily collected during the low tide and collected fruits can be kept
in a heap for a few days to allow the outer skin to rot. After that seeds can be easily
separated by squeezing the fruit in water; viable seeds float. These seeds are kept in
brackish water for about five days and most of them sink in two days and sprout in
five days and then again float with extended roots. These sprouted seeds can be used
for sowing in containers in the nursery. Seedlings reach 30 to 40 cm in height within
a period of five to six months, which can be used for outplanting.

Xylocarpus rumphii - Maru gas

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Xylocarpus rumphii (Kostel) Mabb.

205

MELIACEAE

Common name: Cedar mangrove

Dhivehi name: Maru gas
Status: Rare; a few trees are found in the mangrove environment in some
of the northern islands. Natural regeneration is very poor and no seedling
is noticed.
Description: A small sized, evergreen tree that grows up to 6 to 10 m in height. No
prominent above-ground breathing root is present (in a related species Xylocarpus
granatum buttress and plank roots are present; in another related species Xylocarpus
moluccensis buttress, plank and peg-like pneumatophores are present). Bark is brown,
rough, fissured and peeling in thick narrow strips. Leaves are compound, alternate
in arrangement and leaflets are two to four pairs. Each leaflet is ovate to cordate in
shape, 7 to 10 cm long, shiny, green with curled margin and pointed tip (in X.
granatum leaf tip is rounded). Inflorescence is a panicle, up to 12 cm long and
mainly axillary in position. Flowers are small in size, 0.8 to 1.0 cm in diameter, with
four- lobed yellowish-green calyx and four creamy to greenish-white petals. Fruit is
round, about 15 to 20 cm in diameter, green in colour, glossy, contains four to ten
seeds. Seeds are buoyant and dispersed by currents.
Uses: It is one of the important timber trees of the mangrove forest. Heartwood is
brown and red in colour with streaks. Wood is strong, hard and durable. The wood
is a good cedar-like timber but long pieces can not be cut because trunk is usually
crooked and sometimes hallow. In the Maldives, it is used for boat building, house
construction and furniture. It is also widely used as wooden pegs. It is not resistant
to termites. Number of seeds in fruits varies from four to ten and they are beautifully
interlocked. It is very easy to dismantle these seeds but it is very difficult to put the
seeds back together and because of this reason it is popularly called as the monkey
puzzle nut.
Ecology, propagation and management: It is capable of growing well in deep rich soil
and also in coarse stones, rocky shores and coral ramparts. It is multiplied by seeds.
Normally nursery-raised seedlings are used for planting. Fruits, which are slightly
cracked, are collected from trees and kept in a bucket of water. Mature fruits float and
immature fruits sink and rot. Floating fruit gradually break up and viable seeds will
float. These seeds are placed in the container, keeping the radicle side down.
Germination initiates three weeks after sowing and continues up to 12 weeks and
normal rate of success is 60 to 65%. Seedlings, which attain 80 to 120 cm height in ten
months, can be used for outplanting. In some cases, seedlings 40 cm tall are also
used for outplanting.

Palm trees

Areca catechu - Fen-foah

209

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Areca catechu L.

ARECACEAE

Synonyms: Areca faufel, Areca hortensis, Areca himalayana

Common names: Betel nut, areca
Dhivehi name: Fen-foah
Status: Common; grown in home gardens and cultivated in large scale.
Description: An erect, slender-stemmed, single-trunked palm that can grow up to
30 m tall but normally trees are in between 10 to 15 m in height. Trunk is green when
young, grey coloured in old trees with prominent white leaf scars. Fronds (leaves) are
even-pinnately compound with a rigid but recurved rachis and 30 to 50 long
lanceolate-shaped leaflets. Frond base sheath is long, smooth and green in colour.
Flowers are yellow or creamy white in colour, fragrant and unisexual, with both male
and female flowers borne on the same inflorescence. Inflorescence is commonly called
as spadix (flower spike), much-branched and borne below the leaves and enclosed in
a spathe. Each terminal branch or spikelet of the inflorescence has a few female
flowers at the base and numerous male flowers extending from there to the tip. Male
flowers are small in size with three petals and calyx cut into three minute lobes.
Female flowers are much larger than male flowers with three sepals and three petals.
Fruit is ovoid, hard and orange or scarlet coloured with fibrous mesocarp (middle
layer) and a thin woody endocarp enclosing a seed. Seeds are ovoid or ellipsoidal and
1.5 to 1.8 cm in diameter with a flattened base.
Uses: Seeds of betel nut are normally cut into narrow pieces and rolled inside betel
leaf, rubbed over with lime and chewed by elders and young people alike. It is also
chewed alone. Betel nut has astringent, stimulative, digestive and cardiotonic
properties exerted by tannin and alkaloid substances present in it. It is a powerful
agent to stimulate secretion of saliva. Powered nut is effective in expelling tapeworms
from human beings and also combating round worms.
Ecology, propagation and management: It is capable of growing in a wide variety of
soil, from laterite to loamy soil, provided the soil has thorough drainage yet has
capacity to retain optimum moisture. Normally, light and sandy soils are unsuitable
unless well irrigated and manured. It has poor tolerance to drought and requires
uniform moisture year-round. Its tolerance to salt spray, salinity and wind is poor. It
is propagated only by seeds. Fully matured, heavy fruits that float vertically in water
have high germination rate and vigorous seedlings. Fruits are planted as a whole,
with husk for propagation. Nursery-grown seedlings of one to two years old, which
should bear at least five leaves, are transplanted from nursery bed to field.

Cocos nucifera - Dhivehi ruh

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Cocos nucifera L.

211

ARECACEAE

Common names: Coconut, coconut palm

Dhivehi name: Dhivehi ruh
Status: Abundant; cultivated in large scale and also grows wild, forming
coconut forests.
Description: A large, single-stemmed palm with stout, straight or slightly curved
trunk, rising from a swollen base surrounded by a mass of roots. Trunk is light
greyish brown in colour, smooth and marked with rings of leaf scars. Tall varieties
may attain a height of 20 to 30 m while dwarf varieties are much shorter in stature.
Fronds (leaves) are pinnate, up to 6 m long and 1.5 to 2 m wide with 200 to 250 linear
lanceolate-shaped leaflets arranged in a single plane on either side of the rachis. Leaf
stalks are about 1 to 1.5 m long and smooth. Male and female flowers are borne on
the same inflorescence, called a spadix that develops within a woody canoe shaped
sheath and have 10 to 50 branchlets (spikelets). Male flowers are small, light yellow
in colour, numerous and found towards the tips of branchlets. Each spikelet has zero
to three large female flowers at the base. Fruits are ovoid in shape and composed of
a thick, fibrous husk surrounding a somewhat spherical nut with a hard, hairy shell.
Three sunken holes (eyes) of soft tissue are present at one end of the nut. Inside the
shell is present a thin, white, fleshy layer, about one inch thick at maturity, is present,
which is the kernel (meat) of the coconut. Fruits survive up to 120 days afloat in
seawater and are dispersed by ocean currents. There are two distinct varieties, tall
and dwarf and tall varieties are commonly cultivated around the world.
Uses: Coconut palm is a multiple use tree and considered as one of the ten most
useful trees in the world. It plays an important role in the economy and food and
nutritional security of the people of the Maldives. Mature kernel is eaten as food and
shredded kernel is used in curries, sweets and desserts. Cream extracted from the
kernel is also used in curries and sweets and flavouring of a variety of local dishes
including fish curries. Oil extracted from dried kernel (copra), which is rich in glycerine,
is widely used in cooking and used to make soaps, shampoos, shaving creams,
toothpaste, lotions, hydraulic fluid, etc. A sweet juice extracted from a clump of
unopened flowers is easily boiled down to syrup, called coconut molasses, which is
crystallized into a light brown or dark-coloured sugar. Left standing, it ferments
quickly into a beer called toddy. After a few weeks it becomes vinegar. Husk of the
nut contains fibre, which is combed out and sold as coir, a material for making rope
and coconut matting. Fibre is resistant to seawater and is used as cables and rigging
in ships, for making mats, rugs, bags, brooms and brushes and also as olive oil filter
in some European countries. In the Maldives, trunk wood is used for house
construction and outer wood, which is hard, heavy, strong and close-grained, is used

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

213

for boat building. Mature fronds are commonly woven into thatching material, walls
of temporary buildings and screens. Shell, which is hard and fine grained, is carved
into all kinds of objects including souvenirs, drinking cups, scoops, smoking pipe
bowl etc. Charcoal from the shell is used for cooking fires, air filters, in gas masks,
submarines and cigarette tips. Regarding uses in traditional medicine, young leaves
are used in the Maldives in the preparation of rughaglu beys used to treat muscle
sprains and bone fracture. It is an excellent source of firewood; various part of the
tree such as leaf stalk, husk of the nut, leaflets, rachis etc., are used as firewood. It is
one of the ideal species for coastal bioshield and can play an important role in it as a
commercially important tree.
Varieties of coconut: In the Maldives, the following varieties of coconut are commonly
found: Nulu ruh (tall variety with green-coloured fruit), Rathu ruh (tall with red-coloured
fruit), Kuhi ruh (tall variety with green- and red-coloured fruit), Jafanah ruh (short
variety with green-coloured fruit) and Dhanbu ruh (short variety with red-coloured
fruit). Among these, rathu ruh is more abundant and both rathu and nulu ruh are
cultivated mainly for oil. The famous kurumbapani of the Maldives is the coconut
milk of dhanbu ruh.
Ecology, propagation and management: Coconut palm prefers a year-round warm
and humid climate. Rainfall in the range of 1500 to 2500 mm, distributed evenly
throughout the year and relative humidity above 60% provide ideal climate for the
vigorous growth and yield. Presence of water table within easy reach of roots can
offset inadequate rainfall. It is well adapted to a wide variety of soils though coarse
sand in the coastal areas is its natural habitat. It grows well in deep soil and cultivated
in a large scale in loamy and clayey soil that has good drainage. It tolerates saline and
infertile soils but tolerance to drought is limited. It also tolerates wind-driven salt
very well. It has capacity to withstand cyclonic winds provided roots are well anchored.
It is propagated only by seed and does not multiply vegetatively. Seeds can be
collected from mature nuts, which are indicated by dryness of the husk and turning
of outer layer from green to brown. Seed nuts are buried two-third of their length in
coarse soil to reduce the loss of nut water through evaporation. Depending on the
type, germination can occur four to six weeks after sowing and continue over an
eight week period; regular watering during this period is necessary. Germinating
nuts with the first compound leaf fully developed are the best to be transferred to the
nursery. Seedlings raised in-ground should be outplanted not later than six months
old whereas seedlings raised in container can be planted at about eight to ten months.

Pandanus trees and shrubs

Pandanus odoratissimus - Maakashikeyo

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Pandanus odoratissimus L.f.

217

PANDANACEAE

Synonym: Pandanus leucanthus

Common names: Pandanus, screw pine
Dhivehi name: Maakashikeyo
Status: Abundant; found growing along the beaches of almost all the
islands
Description: An erect, evergreen, coarsely branched tree that looks like a large branched
candlestick or holder. It can grow to a height of 15 m. Branching is dichotomous
(repeated branching into two equal parts) or trichotomous or irregular. Prop roots are
numerous, thick and originate from the base of the trunk. Exposed stems are usually
pale buff or grey brown, grossly ringed by leaf scars. Stems are hollow. Leaves are
sword like, 1 to 2 m long and 4 to 7 cm wide, arranged spirally in three rows at the tips
of the branches. In fully exposed leaves, the midrib is bent, and the upper third or so
of the leaf hangs down, giving Pandanus plants their characteristic drooping
appearance. Leaf apex is long and flagella like. Underside the leaves, especially at the
base two clearly demarcated very pale dull green strips are present, one on either side
of the midrib. Margin of the leaves and midrib are prickled. Prickles are white or with
dark tip, 3 to 5 mm long, slender and slightly curved. Prickles of the midrib are
forwardly directed in the distal half of the leaves and downwardly directed in the
lower half. Male and female flowers are in separate trees. Male inflorescence is a
raceme of spikes, and male flowers are tiny, white, and fragrant with large showy
bracts. They last only for about a day, with the inflorescence decaying within three to
four days. Female inflorescence is pineapple like, composed of free or joined carpels,
ripening as drupes (phalanges). Fruits are variable in shape, ovoid, ellipsoid, subglobose or globose with tightly bunched, wedge shaped fleshy drupes, which are also
referred to as keys. Fruits are green when unripe, orange or red or vermilion when
ripe. Each drupe or phalange is covered with a pericarp (outer layer) and the middle
layer or mesocarp is divided into upper and lower mesocarp. Upper mesocarp
comprises an elongated cavern with tissue containing air spaces and lower mesocarp
is fleshy and fibrous and this is the portion of the fruit that is chewed and eaten.
Endocarp that covers the seed is hard and stony.
Uses: It is an important component in the food security system of the Maldives and
considered as the best source of food during famine and scarcity. Red portion of the
ripe fruit is eaten raw. Juice, locally called as baipainkandhi, is extracted from the fruits
by cutting them into small pieces, boiling them in water with sugar and then crushed
and strained. Fruit is also used in various food preparations. It is cooked with rice
and sugar to prepare a delicious traditional food called kashiko bondibaiy. A sweet

Pandanus tectorius - Boa kashikeyo

219

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

soup, called kashiko baypeen, is prepared from the fruit. A sweet namely, kashiko foa
is prepared by cooking pieces of fruits with sugar and wheat flour and sold in local
market. Leaves, after thoroughly dried and prickles removed, are used to make a kind
of soft mat called santhi. Prop root, locally called aloho, is used as a brush to paint
boats. Hollow stems were once used to build houses but now are widely used to
construct hargue, a place where boats are hauled for repair. Stems, which are fibrous
and very soft, are widely used in making hulhuashi, a resting platform commonly
found nearby the beach.

Pandanus tectorius Parkinson

PANDANACEAE

Synonyms: Pandanus laevis, Pandanus moschatus, Pandanus spurius

Common names: Pandanus, screw pine
Dhivehi name: Boa kashikeyo
Status: Abundant
Description: It is more or less similar to P. odoratissimus in appearance and
morphological features. It also looks like a large branched candlestick or holder with
numerous prop roots but is comparatively smaller in size than P. odoratissimus. In P.
tectorius, prop roots sometimes emerge from the upper part of the trunk whereas in P.
odoratissimus they emerge only from the base of the trunk. Leaf spines are larger and
white or very pale in colour in P. odoratissimus whereas they are smaller and greenish
in P. tectorius. Leaves of P. odoratissimus have two strips at the base, one on either side
of the midrib. No such feature could be observed in P. tectorius. P. odoratissimus and P.
tectorius are very close to each other taxonomically and they are thought to hybridize
readily where they co-occur.
Uses: Fruits of P. tectorius is normally not consumed in the Maldives because it
causes an itching sensation on the tongue. Unlike P. odoratissimus, stems of P.
tectorius are not widely used. Both the Pandanus species help to bind sand and
prevent wind erosion, when they are grown on the seaward slopes and crests of
frontal sand dunes. They also function as wind break. Since both the species are
tolerant to salt spray, sand blasting, exposure to strong winds and high levels of solar
radiation they can be part of multispecies bioshield for coastal area protection.
Ecology, propagation and management: Pandanus spp. grow on a wide variety of
coastal soils, including sandy and rocky beaches, raised coralline terraces and recent
basalt (lava flows). They are adapted to shallow, saline, sodic, alkaline, and thin and
nutrient poor soils over limestone and peaty swamps. They also grow well in soils with
free or impeded drainage, including seasonally waterlogged soils. They are very tolerant

Pandanus amaryllifolius - Raampa, raampe faiy

221

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

of salt laden winds and salt spray and also of strong and steady winds. Pandanus
spp. have a capacity to regenerate rapidly from seed in fallen fruit segment. It is not
normally cultivated in the Maldives. However, it can be propagated by seed and
branch cuttings. Seed can be collected from intact phalanges (keys) by keeping them
in cool tap water for about five days, changing the water daily. Viable phalanges will
float. They can be sown directly or propagated in a nursery. Seedlings 4 to 12 months
old can be used for outplanting. Branch cuttings are made form shorter laterals
including one or more aerial or prop roots and the length of the cuttings normally
ranges from 20 to 40 cm. Leaf area of the branch cuttings is reduced by about 70% by
cutting or trimming the leaves. Cuttings should be planted immediately after collection
for high rate of establishment and growth.

Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb.

PANDANACEAE

Synonym: Pandanus odorus

Common names: Fragrant pandan, fragrant screwpine
Dhivehi names: Raampa, raampe faiy
Status: Occasional; grown in home gardens as a spice.
Description: A shrub that grows to 1 to 1.5 m height with spirally arranged swordlike leaves. Adult leaves are about 80 to 110 cm long and 6 to 8 cm wide with rather
abruptly rounded or acute tip. Lateral pleats of leaves, well developed in other
Pandanus species, are obsolete in Pandanus amaryllifolius. There is no spine in the
midrib and margins of the leaves also lack any spine except at extreme apex where
there may be a few minute prickles present. Male flowers are extremely rare and there
is no scientific description of a female flower.
Uses: It is the only Pandanus species with fragrant leaves and the aroma is distinctly
pleasant, somewhat nutty and reminiscent of fresh hay. Scent of the Pandanus
leaves develops only on withering; the fresh, intact leaves have no odour. In the
Maldives, leaves are often used as a flavouring agent along with curry leaves or alone
while cooking various curries.
Ecology, propagation and management: Pandanus amaryllifolius is cultivated traditionally
and it is not recorded in the wild. It is propagated by root suckers. Suckers 30 to 40 cm
are carefully removed and planted in the kitchen garden. It requires regular but light
watering for better performance. If there is no sufficient watering, leaves will become
chloritic and aroma will not be strong.

Narrow leaved tree - Casuarina

Casuarina equisetifolia - Fithuroanu

225

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Casuarina equisetifolia L.

CASUARINACEAE

Synonyms: Casuarina litoralis, Casuarina litorea

Common names: Casuarina, beef wood, beach she-oak
Dhivehi name: Fithuroanu
Status: Occasional and recently introduced.
Description: A fast growing, evergreen tall tree that is capable of growing to height of
20 to 30 m. The shape of the crown is narrowly pyramidal, resembling some of the
conifers in appearance. Crown tends to be flat in old trees. Trunk is straight,
cylindrical, branchless up to 5 to 8 m. Buttress is commonly seen in old trees. Bark is
smooth and greyish-brown in young plants, turning to rough, thick, fissured and
splitting into strips and flakes and dark brown in old trees. Branches are long with
soft dark green and sometimes grey needles. These drooping needles are actually
multi-jointed branchlets with prominent angular ribs and 25 to 35 cm in length and
1 mm thick. Leaves are reduced to tiny scales, tooth like and arranged in whorls of
seven to eight at the nodes of the green branchlets. Flowers are unisexual. Male
flowers are terminal or sub-terminal, simple, elongated spikes, 0.8 to 4 cm long and
greenish-grey in colour. Infructescence (multiple fruits) is a woody, cone-like structure,
0.1 to 2.5 cm long and 0.15 to 2 cm wide, containing a number of small fruits, which
are grey or yellow-brown in colour and winged.
Uses: She-oak is considered as one of the best firewood because it readily catches fire
even when green and ashes retain heat for a long time. Wood is also used to produce
fine quality charcoal. Wood is hard to very hard and strong but difficult to season
due to severe warping and checking. In the Maldives, timber is sometimes used to
make fashan (keel) of dhonis. It is one of the main trees used to control soil erosion. It
has been reported that casuarina plantation played a role in reducing the impact of
tsunami on the lives and property of the coastal community and thus it can be an
important constituent of coastal bioshield.
Ecology, propagation and management: It grows on a variety of soil but it performs
well in sandy soil. It is highly tolerant to drought and aerosol salt. Its tolerance to soil
salinity is good. It is also capable of withstanding high temperatures and high
winds, and thus becoming a candidate species to plant along the shoreline.
Propagation is mainly by seeds. Seeds can be sown without any pretreatment and
seeds germinate within two weeks. Seedlings raised in nursery beds can be transplanted
to containers after attaining 5 to 10 cm height. Container seedlings, which are 25 to 30
cm height, are suitable for outplanting.

References
1. Danielsen, F., Srensen, M. K., Olwig, M. F., Selvam, V., Parish, F.,
Burgess, N., Hiraishi, T., Karunagaran, V. M., Quarto, A., Suryadiputra
N. 2005. The Asian Tsunami: A Protective Role for Coastal Vegetation.
Science 310, 643.
2. Duke, N.C. 1984. Mangrove Floristics and Biogeography. In A.I
Robertson and D.M.Alongi (eds.). Tropical Mangrove Ecosystems. Coastal
and Estuarine Geophysical Union, Washington DC.
3. MFAMR, 1995. Maldives. Country Report to the FAO International
Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources (Leipzig, 1996).
Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Male.
Republic of Maldives.
4. Forsberg, F.R. 1957. The Maldive Islands, Indian Ocean. Atoll Researc h
Bulletin 58, 1-37.
5. MEEW, 2006. Assessment of Eidhigali Kulhi and Koattey Area,
S.Hithadhoo, Maldives. Ministry of Environment, Energy and Water,
Male. Republic of Maldives.
6. MHAHE, 1999. Second National Environmental Action Plan.
Ministry of Home Affairs Housing and Environment, Male. Republic
of Maldives.
7. Morner, N.A., Tooley, M., Possenert G. 2004. New perspectives for
the future of the Maldives. Global and Planetary Changes 40, 177-182.
8. Pahram, B.E.V. 1971. The vegetation of the Tokelau Islands with special
reference to the plants of Nukunonu atoll. New Zealand Journal of Botany
9, 576-609.
9. Selvam, V., Eganathan, P., Karunagaran, V.M., Ravishankar, T.,
Ramasubramanian, R. 2004. Mangrove Plants of Tamil Nadu.
M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, India.
10. Selvam, V. 2005. Impact assessment for Mangrove and Shelterbelt Plantations
by Tsunami for Tamil Nadu Forestry Project. Report submitted to the Japan
Bank for International Cooperation, New Delhi.
11. Thom, B.G. 1984. Coastal landforms and geomorphic processes. In
S.C.Snedaker and J.G.Snedaker (eds.). The Mangrove Ecosystems: Research
Methods. Monograph on Oceanographic Methodology 8. UNSECO,
Paris.

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

227

12. Wills, J.G., Gardiner J.S. 1901. The botany of the Maldive Islands.
Annual Review of Botanical Garden of Peradeniya 1 (2), 45-164.
13. Zuhair, M. 1997. Country Report Maldives. Asia-Pacific Forestry
Sector Outlook Study Working Paper Series. Working Paper No.
APFSOS/WP/30, FAO, Rome.
14. Kathiresan, K., and Bringham B.L. 2001. Biology of mangroves and
mangrove ecosystems. Advances in Marine Biology, 40: 81-251.

Further readings
1. Bornhorst, H.L. 2005. Growing Native Hawaiian Plants: A How-to Guide
for the Gardener. The Bess Press, Honolulu.
2. Choudhury, J.K. 1993. Mangrove conservation and management in Maldives:
Report to the Government of the Republic of Maldives. FAO, Rome.
3. De Fonseka, R.N., and Balasubramanium, S. 1984. An illustrated
account of some Maldivian plants. Ministry of Education, Male. Republic
of Maldives
4. Elevitch, C.R. (ed.). 2006. Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands. Permanent
Agricultural Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii, USA.
5. Hachinohe, H., Suko, O. and Ida, A. 1998. Nursery manual for mangrove
species. The Development of Sustainable Mangrove Management
Project, Ministry of Forestry and Estate Crops, Indonesia and Japan
International Cooperation Agency, Bali, Indonesia.
6. Jensen, M. 1999.Trees commonly cultivated in Southeast Asia: an illustrated
field guide. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Bangkok,
Thailand. 230 pp
7. Kanvinde, S.H. 1999. Maldivian Gender Roles in Bio-resource Management.
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.
8. Krauss, B.H. 1993. Plants in Hawaiian Culture. University of Hawaii
Press, Honolulu.
9. Lemmens, R.H.M.J., Soerianegara, I., and Wong, W.C. (eds.). 1995.Timber
trees: Minor commercial timbers. Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No.
5.2. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.
10. Little, E.L.,Jr., and Skolmen, R.G. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawaii
(Native and Introduced). Agricultural Handbook 679. USDA,
Washington DC.

References, further readings and websites

11. Mabberly, D.J. 1997. The plant book. Cambridge University Press,
Cambridge. 858 pp.
12. Macmillan, H.F. 1935. Tropical planting and gardening with special
reference to Ceylon. Macmillan and Co Ltd., London. 560 pp.
13. MRDW, 2002. Overview of the Marshall islands Forest Resources. Ministry
of Resources, Development and Works, Agriculture Division,
Republic of the Marshall Islands.
14. Plant resources of South-East Asia, Backhuys Publisher, Leiden, The
Netherlands.
15. Ravishankar, T. 2005. Forestry Assessment and Programme Planning,
Maldives. FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok,
Thailand.
16. Selvam, V., K.K.Ravichandran, V.M.Karunagaran, K.G.Mani and
G.Evanjalin Jessie Beula. 2004. Joint Mangrove Management in Tamil Nadu:
Processes, Experiences and Prospects: Part 1 to 4. M.S.Swaminathan
Research Foundation, Chennai, India.
17. Soerianegara, I., and Lemmens, R.H.M.J. (eds.). 1993. Timber trees:
Major commercial timbers. Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No. 5.1.
Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.
18. Sosef, M.S.M., Hong, L.T., and Prawirohatmodjo, S. (eds.). 1998. Timber
trees: Lesser-known timbers. Plant Resources of Southeast Asia No. 5.2.
Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.
19. Stone,E.L., Migvar, L., and Robison, W.L. 2000. Growing Plants on Atoll
Soils. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore,
California.
20. Taniguchi, K., Takashima, S. and Suko, O. 1998. The silvicultural manual
f o r m a n g r o v e s . The Development of Sustainable Mangrove
Management Project, Ministry of Forestry and Estate Crops,
Indonesia and Japan International Cooperation Agency, Bali,
Indonesia.. 62 pp.
21. Tejwani, K.G. 1994. Agroforestry in India. Centre for Natural Resources
and Environment Management, New Delhi, India.
22. Thaman, R.R., Elevitch, C.R., and Wilkinson, K.M. 2000. Multipurpose
Trees for Agroforestry in the Pacific islands. Agroforestry Guides for
Pacific Islands No.2. Permanent Agricultural Resources, Holualoa,
Hawaii, USA.

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

229

23. Valentine, N. 1999. A preliminary report on non-timber forest products

in some Pacific Islands countries. Working Paper 6, SPC/FAO Forests
and Trees Support Programme, Suva, Fiji.
24. Vaughen, J.G. and Geissler, C.A. 1999. The new Oxford book of food
plants. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 239 pp.
25. Weins, H.J. 1962. Atoll Environment and Agriculture. Yake University
Press, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
26. Wilkinson, K.M., and Elevitch, C.R. 2000. Non-timber Forest Products
for Pacific Islands: An introductory guide to producers. Agroforestry
Guides for Pacific Islands No.3. Permanent Agriculture Resources,
Holualoa, Hawaii.
27. Wilkinson, K.M., and Elevitch, C.R. 2000. Integrating Understory Cro p s
with Tre e C ro p s : An Introductory Guide for Pacific Islands.
Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands No.4. Permanent Agriculture
Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii, USA.

Important websites
1. Centre for New Crops and Plant Products: Purdue University. Website:
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/
2. Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Project.
Website: http://www.hear.org/pier/
3. Permanent Agricultural Resources.
Website: http://www.agroforestry.net/
4. University of Florida. Environmental Horticulture: Plant Information
Database. Website: http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/
5. World Agroforestry Centre. Agroforestree Database: A tree species
reference and selection guide.
Website: http://www.worldagroforestrycentre.org/SEA/Products/
AFDbases/AF/asp/BotanicSearch.asp

Index of scientific and common names

A

Areca himalayana ................... 209

Adenanthera pavoniana .......... 17

Areca hortensis ........................ 209

Achras zapota .......................... 113

Artocarpus altilis ...................... 31

Adenanthera gersenii ............... 17

Artocarpus communis .............. 31

Agathi ....................................... 151

Artocarpus heterophyllus ........ 33

Agati grandiflora ..................... 151

Artocarpus integrifolia ............. 33

Albizia saman ............................ 19

Aveloz ......................................... 89

Alexander Laurel wood ............ 49

Averrhoa bilimbi ........................ 35

Allophylus cobbe ...................... 21

Averrhoa carambola .................. 37

Allophylus rheedii .................... 21

Avicennia marina .................... 181

Allophylus serratus .................. 21

Azadirachta indica ................... 39

Annona asiatica ........................ 29

Annona australis ...................... 23

Banyan tree ................................ 91

Annona bonplandiana ............. 25

Barringtonia asiatica ................ 41

Annona chrysocarpa ................ 23

Barringtonia speciosa ............... 41

Annona cinerea ......................... 29

Bay cedar .................................. 153

Annona glabra ........................... 23

Beach cordia ............................... 77

Annona humboldtiana ............. 27

Beach heliotrope ...................... 169

Annona humboldtii .................. 27

Beach hibiscus ......................... 105

Annona muricata ...................... 25

Beach she-oak .......................... 225

Annona peruviana .................... 23

Beef wood ................................. 225

Annona reticulate ...................... 27

Ben nut ...................................... 119

Annona squamosa .................... 29

Betel nut .................................... 209

Areca ......................................... 209

Bilimbi ........................................ 35

Areca catechu .......................... 209

Binacaea sappan ....................... 47

Areca faufel .............................. 209

Bitter orange ............................... 65

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

231

Black mangrove ....................... 195

Castor bean .............................. 147

Black plum ............................... 157

Castor oil plant ........................ 147

Blinding tree ............................. 191

Casuarina ................................. 225

Bowstring hemp ........................ 51

Casuarina equisetifolia ........... 225

Breadfruit ................................... 31

Casuarina litorea ..................... 225

Bruguiera caryophylloides ..... 183

Cedar mangrove ...................... 205

Bruguiera conjugata ................ 185

Ceriops candolliana ................ 189

Bruguiera cylindrica ............... 183

Ceriops tagal ............................ 189

Bruguiera eriopetala ............... 187

Cheesefruit ............................... 117

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza .......... 185

Chicle tree ................................. 113

Bruguiera sexangula ............... 187

Cicca acidus ............................. 129

Bullocks heart ........................... 23

Citron .......................................... 71

Burmese rosewood .................. 143

Citrus aurantifolia ..................... 63

Citrus aurantium ....................... 65

Caesalpinia bonduc .................. 43

Citrus decumana ....................... 69

Caesalpinia bonducella ............ 43

Citrus grandis ............................ 69

Caesalpinia minutiflora ........... 47

Citrus limon ............................... 67

Caesalpinia pulcherrima .......... 45

Citrus maxima ........................... 69

Caesalpinia sappan .................. 47

Citrus medica ............................. 71

Calophyllum inophyllum ........ 49

Citrus medica var. limonium .... 67

Calotropis gigantea ................... 51

Citrus var. medica ...................... 71

Carambola .................................. 37

Clerodendron neriifolium ........ 73

Carica papaya ............................ 53

Clerodendrum inerme ............... 73

Cassia auriculata ...................... 55

Coconut .................................... 211

Cassia fistula ............................. 57

Coconut palm .......................... 211

Cassia glauca ............................. 61

Cocos nucifera ......................... 211

Cassia occidentalis ................... 59

Coffee senna ............................... 59

Cassia surrattensis .................... 61

Colubrina asiatica ..................... 75

Index of Scientific and Common Names

Common guava ....................... 141

Erythrina orientalis ................... 85

Copper pod .............................. 127

Erythrina variegata ................... 87

Coral tree .................................... 85

Eugenia aquea ......................... 155

Coral wood ................................. 17

Eugenia jambolana ................. 157

Cordia moluccana ..................... 77

Eugenia jambos ....................... 159

Cordia orientalis ........................ 77

Eugenia javanica ..................... 155

Cordia subcordata ..................... 77

Euphorbia tirucalli .................... 89

Cork wood tree ......................... 125

Excoecaria agallocha .............. 191

Country almond ...................... 165

Country gooseberry ................. 129

Fedegoso ..................................... 59

Crabapple ................................. 203

Ficus benghalensis .................... 91

Cucumber tree ............................ 35

Ficus benjamina ......................... 93

Curry leaf .................................. 123

Ficus elastica .............................. 95

Custard apple ............................ 27

Ficus indica ................................ 91

Ficus nitida ................................ 93

Delonix regia .............................. 79

Ficus rubra ................................. 95

Dendrolobium umbellatum ...... 81

Five-leaved chaste tree ............ 171

Desmodium umbellatum .......... 81

Flame of the forest ...................... 79

Dhakandhaa ........................... 139

Fragrant pandan ..................... 221

Dodonaea angustifolia ............. 83

Fragrant screwpine ................. 221

Dodonaea viscosa ..................... 83

Frangipanni ............................. 137

Drumstick tree .......................... 119

Dwarf poinciana ....................... 45

Galucocus cassia ....................... 61

Garden quinine ......................... 73

Emblic myrabalan ................... 131

Giant bush hop .......................... 83

Emblica officinalis ................... 131

Giant milkweed ......................... 51

Entrolobium saman .................. 19

Gliricidia .................................... 99

Erythrina indica ........................ 87

Gliricidia sepium ...................... 99

233

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Golden flame ............................ 127

Indian gooseberry .................... 131

Golden shower .......................... 57

Indian jujube ............................ 175

Grand devils claw .................. 133

Indian mulberry ....................... 117

Grey mangrove ........................ 181

Indian oak ................................ 163

Grey nickernut ........................... 43

Indian redwood ......................... 47

Guava ....................................... 141

Indian rubber fig ........................ 95

Guayabano ................................. 25

Indian rubber tree ...................... 95

Guettarda speciosa ................. 101

Indian sankewood .................... 75

Gul mohur .................................. 79

Inga dulcis ................................ 135

Iron wood ................................. 197

Half flower ............................... 149

Henna tree ................................ 107

Jack fruit ..................................... 33

Heritiera littoralis .................... 193

Jack in the box .......................... 103

Heritiera minor ........................ 193

Jamaica cherry tree .................. 121

Hernandia ................................ 103

Jambolan ................................... 157

Hernandia nymphaeifolia ..... 103

Jambos ...................................... 159

Hernandia ovigera .................. 103

Jambosa jambos ....................... 159

Hernandia peltata ................... 103

Japanese cherry ....................... 121

Hernandia sonora ................... 103

Jujube ........................................ 175

Hibiscus populneoides ........... 167

Hibiscus tiliaceus .................... 105

Large-leafed mangroves ......... 185

Hog plum ................................. 173

Latherleaf ................................... 75

Horse bush ................................. 81

Lawsonia inermis .................... 107

Horseradish tree ...................... 119

Lemon ......................................... 67

Lettuce tree ............................... 133

Indian banyan tree .................... 91

Leucaena .................................. 109

Indian blackberry .................... 157

Leucaena glauca ...................... 109

Indian coral tree ......................... 87

Leucaena latisiliqua ................ 109

Index of Scientific and Common Names

Leucaena leucocephala .......... 109

Lime ............................................ 63

Narra ......................................... 143

Looking-glass mangroves ...... 193

Naseberry ................................. 113

Lumnitzera racemosa ............. 195

Neem ........................................... 39

Nit pitcha ................................. 101

Mangifera indica ..................... 111

Noni .......................................... 117

Mango ....................................... 111

Mangrove apple ....................... 203

Ochrosia borbonica ................. 125

Manila tamarind ..................... 135

Ochrosia oppositifolia ............ 125

Manilkara achras .................... 113

Oriental mangroves ................. 185

Manilkara zapota .................... 113

Mature tea tree ........................... 55

Pagoda gum tree ...................... 115

Melia azadirachta ..................... 39

Pagoda tree ............................... 137

Melia indica ............................... 39

Pandanus ................................. 217

Messerschmidia argentea ....... 169

Pandanus amaryllifolius ........ 221

Mignonette ............................... 107

Pandanus laevis ...................... 219

Milk bush ................................... 89

Pandanus leucanthus ............. 217

Milo ........................................... 167

Pandanus moschatus ............. 219

Mimusops elengi ..................... 115

Pandanus odoratissimus ....... 217

Monkey pod ............................... 19

Pandanus odorus .................... 221

Morgosa-tree .............................. 39

Pandanus spurious ................. 234

Morinda bracteata ................... 117

Pandanus tectorius ................. 219

Morinda citrifolia .................... 117

Papaw ......................................... 53

Moringa oleifera ...................... 119

Papaya ........................................ 53

Moringa pterygosperma ......... 119

Peacock flower ........................... 45

Muntingia calabura ................ 121

Peltophorum ferrugineum ...... 127

Murraya koenigii ..................... 123

Peltophorum pterocarpum ..... 127

Pemphis acidula ...................... 197

235

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Pencil cactus .............................. 89

Phyllanthus acidus ................. 129

Rain tree ..................................... 19

Phyllanthus distichus ............ 129

Red bead tree .............................. 17

Phyllanthus emblica ............... 131

Red frangipanni ...................... 137

Pisonia alba ............................. 133

Red jasmine .............................. 137

Pisonia grandis ....................... 133

Red sandalwood ....................... 17

Pithecellobium dulce .............. 135

Rhizophora apiculata ............. 199

Plumeria acuminate ................ 137

Rhizophora candelaria ........... 199

Plumeria acutifolia .................. 137

Rhizophora caryophylloides . 183

Plumeria krugii ........................ 137

Rhizophora caseolaris ............ 203

Plumeria obtusa ....................... 137

Rhizophora conjugata ............ 185

Plumeria rubra ......................... 137

Rhizophora gymnorrhiza ...... 185

Poinciana pulcherrima ............. 45

Rhizophora macrorrhiza ........ 201

Poinciana regia .......................... 79

Rhizophora mucronata .......... 201

Poinciana roxburghii .............. 127

Rhizophora sexangula ........... 187

Pomegranate ............................ 145

Rhizophora tagal .................... 189

Pond apple ................................. 23

Ricinus communis .................. 147

Portia tree ................................. 167

River poison tree ...................... 191

Premna integrifolia ................. 139

Rose apple ................................ 159

Premna obtusifolia .................. 139

Premna serratifolia .................. 139

Samanea saman ......................... 19

Psidium aromaticum .............. 141

Sand olive ................................... 83

Psidium guajava ...................... 141

Sapdilla .................................... 113

Pterocarpus blancoi ............... 143

Sappan wood ............................. 47

Pterocarpus indicus ................ 143

Scaevola .................................... 149

Pterocarpus pallidus .............. 143

Scaevola frutescens ................. 149

Pummelo ..................................... 69

Scaevola sericea ....................... 149

Punica granatum ..................... 145

Scaevola taccada ..................... 149

Index of Scientific and Common Names

Scrambled egg tree ..................... 61

Syzygium cumini .................... 157

Screw pine ................................ 217

Syzygium jambolanum ........... 157

Sea hibiscus ............................. 105

Syzygium jambos .................... 159

Sea lettuce tree .......................... 149

Sea poison tree ........................... 41

Tamarind .................................. 161

Sea putat ..................................... 41

Tamarindus indica .................. 161

Sea trumpet ................................ 77

Tanjong tree .............................. 115

Sea vetch tree .............................. 81

Tassel plant .............................. 153

Seaside clerodendron ................ 73

Teak ........................................... 163

Senna auriculata ....................... 55

Tectona grandis ....................... 163

Senna occidentalis .................... 59

Temple tree ............................... 137

Sesban ....................................... 151

Terminalia catappa ................. 165

Sesbania formosa .................... 151

Terminalia procera .................. 165

Sesbania grandiflora ............... 151

Thakafathi ................................ 199

Small-leafed orange mangrove183

Thespesia ................................. 167

Sonneratia acida ...................... 203

Thespesia macrophylla .......... 167

Sonneratia caseolaris .............. 203

Thespesia populnea ................ 167

Sour lime ..................................... 63

Tournefortia argentea .............. 169

Sour orange ................................ 65

Tree of iron .................................. 99

Sour plum ................................. 173

Tulip tree ................................... 167

Soursop ....................................... 25

Star gooseberry ........................ 129

Vitex negundo .......................... 171

Start fruit ..................................... 37

Sugar apple ................................ 29

Suriana maritima .................... 153
Sweet inga ................................ 135
Sweetsop ..................................... 29
Syzygium aqueum ................... 155

Water apple .............................. 155

Wax apple ................................ 155
Weeping fig ................................ 93
Wild berry ................................... 21
Wild plum ................................ 173

237

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

Ximenia americana ................. 173

Yellow mangrove ..................... 189

Ximenia laurina ....................... 173

Yellow Poinciana .................... 127

Ximenia rogersii ...................... 173

Xylocarpus rumphii ................ 205

Ziziphus mauritiana .............. 175

Index of Dhivehi names

Aavi anbu ................................ 111

Dhivehi ruh .............................. 211

Ahi ............................................ 117

Dhoalhanbu .............................. 67

Amanaka .................................. 147

Dhonmoosa ............................... 21

Anbu ........................................ 111

Dhunburi ................................ 125

Anmalthassh ............................ 57

Dhungethi ................................. 73

Annaaru ................................... 145

Dhunnika ................................. 171

Anoanaa ..................................... 25

Eggamu muraka ........................ 89

Banbukeyo ................................ 31

Enboo ....................................... 173

Banbulhabos ............................. 69

Fathangu ................................... 45

Baru ........................................... 181

Faiy kudhi nika ......................... 93

Berebedhi .............................. 85, 87

Faiy kurehi ................................. 87

Beys fathangu ........................... 47

Falho ........................................... 53

Beys goanbili .......................... 131

Feerumuranga ........................ 151

Bilamagu .................................... 35

Fen-foah .................................... 209

Bilimagu ..................................... 35

Feyru ......................................... 141

Boa kashikeyo .......................... 219

Fithuroanu ............................... 225

Boda vaki .......................... 185, 187

Funa ............................................ 49

Bodu gas ..................................... 19

Ginimaa ...................................... 79

Bodu gulchampa ..................... 137

Goanbili ................................... 129

Bodu Kandoo ........................... 185

Gobu gas ................................... 165

Bodu Lunboa ............................ 71

Haalhala ..................................... 81

Boshi ......................................... 169

Haivakaru ................................ 163

Burevi ........................................ 195

Halaveli .................................... 153

Dhakandhaa ........................... 139

Haulhala .................................... 81

Dhanbu gas ............................. 157

Heenaa ...................................... 107

Dhandigandu atha .................. 27

Helenbeli ................................. 161

Dhigga ...................................... 105

Hikandhi faiy ......................... 123

Dhigu thiyara ............................ 59

Hikandhi gas .......................... 123

Dhivehi atha .............................. 29

Hirundhu ................................ 167

Trees and Shrubs of the Maldives

239

Hithi gas ..................................... 39

Maakashikeyo .......................... 217

Hudu kiruthona ........................ 89

Madhoshi ................................... 17

Ipil-ipil ...................................... 109

Madhu gas ............................... 165

Jambhoshi .................................. 67

Magoo ....................................... 149

Janburoalu .............................. 155

Maru gas ................................... 205

Janbu ......................................... 159

Mas kandhu ............................. 103

Jeymu ........................................ 121

Midhili gas ............................... 165

Kaamaranga ............................... 37

Moonimaa ................................ 115

Kaani ........................................... 77

Muranga gas ........................... 119

Kaharuvah gas ........................ 193

Naaringu ................................... 65

Kalhuthumeyvaa ....................... 23

Nika ............................................ 91

Kandoo .................................... 183

Ofi elay gas ............................... 143

Kandhu ..................................... 103

Raampa/Raampe faiy ............ 221

Karamana ................................. 189

Raarohi ....................................... 75

Kashi helebeli .......................... 135

Raaruhi ....................................... 75

Kashi kaburan ........................... 43

Rabaru gas ................................. 95

Kauni .......................................... 77

Raiy gulchampa ...................... 137

Keredhi ..................................... 197

Randoo .................................... 201

Kimbi ......................................... 41

Ranauraa .................................... 55

Kinbi .......................................... 41

Rangu falho ............................... 53

Kiri gas ........................................ 91

Ranuwia ..................................... 61

Koi anbu .................................. 111

Reendho varey ......................... 127

Kudhi-ruuvaali .......................... 83

Ruvaa .......................................... 51

Kuhlhavah ............................... 203

Sabhudheli ............................... 113

Kunnaaru ................................. 175

Sakkeyo ....................................... 33

Kuredhi ..................................... 197

Thakafathi ................................ 199

Laami .......................................... 97

Thela ......................................... 191

Laamiaa ...................................... 97

Uni ............................................ 101

Lhos .......................................... 133

Veyo falho ................................... 53

Lunboa ...................................... 63

Vilaathu atha ............................. 27