Oriental mangrove (tumu) Bruguiera gymnorhiza
Oriental mangrove (tumu) (Bruguiera gymnorhiza) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Rhizophoraceae family, native to Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to Samoa, including Singapore (landward, less often flooded mangrove). It grows 8–25 m (26–82 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Oriental mangrove (tumu) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oriental mangrove (tumu) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rhizophoraceae |
| Mature height | 8–25 m (26–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Indo-West Pacific, from East Africa to Samoa, including Singapore (landward, less often flooded mangrove) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇿🇦 South Africa |
| Invasive in | Hawaii (naturalised on Oahu): check local rules before planting |
Is Oriental mangrove (tumu) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported; the bark is rich in tannins.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Oriental mangrove (tumu)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Oriental mangrove (tumu) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (4 plants)
Questions about Oriental mangrove (tumu)
- How far apart should I plant Oriental mangrove (tumu)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Oriental mangrove (tumu) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oriental mangrove (tumu) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Oriental mangrove (tumu)?
- It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Oriental mangrove (tumu) flower?
- From about March for 21–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Oriental mangrove (tumu) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported; the bark is rich in tannins.
- What grows well with Oriental mangrove (tumu)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oriental mangrove (tumu). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
- Mangrove plants of Singapore (fact sheets; after Ng & Sivasothi, A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore), WildSingapore
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Mangrove: grows in tidal, saline mud flooded by brackish water; it is a coastal habitat plant, not for ordinary garden soil.
- Knee roots loop up out of the mud around a buttressed trunk; red, many-lobed calyces are pollinated by sunbirds; viviparous, cigar-shaped propagules.
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) Rhizophora apiculata
- Dwarf mountain pine Pinus mugo
- Japanese maple Acer palmatum
- Black walnut Juglans nigra
- English yew Taxus baccata
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana