Scientific Name : Heritiera littoralis Aiton
Common Name : Coastal Heritiera
Chinese Name : 銀葉樹
Family : STERCULIACEAE
Local distribution status : Native species
| Origin | In Hong Kong, the wild Coastal Heritiera is found in Tai Po Kau, Yung Shue O and Lai Chi Wo. It is also widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia, east Africa and Australia. |
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| Ecology | Coastal Heritiera has developed the ability to thrive on the coast. First, its robust buttresses help to anchor the tree on sandy soils. In addition, its abaxial silver-white scurfy scaly can reflect the sunglish from the sea surface and maintain the leaves in optimal temperature and moisture. Its seeds can travel for a long distance by floating on sea and driven by sea waves. However, with the overexploitation of marine resources, global warming and water pollution, the population of Coastal Heritiera is reduced perceptibly. It is currently registered as a threatened species on the IUCN Red List in status of "Vulnerable". Indeed, not only Coastal Heritiera, species in bulk growing in the coastal intertidal zone are under great threat from the impacts of e.g. the loss of habitats. Species diversity is important to imprint an exquisite natural scenery and enrich the local biodiversity. To preserve this beautiful scene, it is time to control our insatiable desire for natural resources. |
| Vitality | This species has good tolerance to high salinity and waterlogged soils. |
| Application | Its wood is strong and can be used for ship making. In addition, it is planted in waterfront parks as an ornamental tree. |
| Meanings of name | The genus name "Heritiera" is in honor of the French botanist, Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle, whereas the species name "littoralis" indicates its growing habitat on seashores. The Chinese name "銀葉樹" refers to its abaxial leaves with silver-white scurfy scaly. |
| Growing habit | Evergreen tree. |
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| Height | To 10 m. |
| Root | Butressed, strong. |
| Stem | Bark gray-brown, rough. Branchlets covered by white scurfy scaly when young. |
| Leaves | Leaves alternate, leathery, blades oblong-lanceolate, elliptic or ovate, apex acute or obtuse, base obtuse, margin entire, adaxially glabrous, abaxially densely silver-white scurfy scaly. |
| Flower | Panicles, flowers small, many, red-brown, covered by densely silver-white hairs. Monecious, unisexual flowers. |
| Fruit | Capsule, nut-like, woody, yellow-brown when dried, ridge on back, like the cartoon character "Ultraman". |
| Flowering period | October to November in Hong Kong. |
| Fruiting period | \ |
Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website :
https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=7870
Scientific names from other databases
― Flora of China : Heritiera littoralis Aiton
— Plants of the World Online : Heritiera littoralis Aiton