Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) Rhizophora apiculata
Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) (Rhizophora apiculata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Rhizophoraceae family, native to Indo-West Pacific coasts, from Sri Lanka to northern Australia, including Singapore (middle tidal zone). It grows 8–30 m (26–98 ft) tall and 5–10 m (16–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rhizophoraceae |
| Mature height | 8–30 m (26–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Indo-West Pacific coasts, from Sri Lanka to northern Australia, including Singapore (middle tidal zone) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) 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 Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
See Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (2 plants)
Questions about Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak)
- How far apart should I plant Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–10 m (16–33 ft).
- Does Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak)?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) flower?
- From about March for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak) 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 Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Tall-stilted mangrove (bakau minyak). 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
- Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: mangrove flora and boardwalks, National Parks Board, Singapore
- 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.
- Arching stilt roots prop the trunk in soft mud; seeds germinate on the tree (vivipary) and drop as 20–35 cm spear-like 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.
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- Saucer magnolia Magnolia x soulangeana