Lumnitzera littorea
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Lumnitzera littorea

Tier 1 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
4
Observations
32

Description

Source: leafsnap

Lumnitzera is an Indo-West Pacific mangrove genus in the family Combretaceae. An English common name is black mangrove. (However, "black mangrove" may also refer to the unrelated genus Avicennia.) Lumnitzera, named after the German botanist, Stephan Lumnitzer (1750-1806), occurs in mangroves from East Africa to the Western Pacific (including Fiji and Tonga), and northern Australia. The genus has two species of similar vegetative appearance but with differing flower colour. Lumnitzera littorea has red flowers whereas Lumnitzera racemosa has white flowers. Both species have flat and spoon-shaped (spathulate) leaves with emarginate tips. L. racemosa dominates in the western part of the range and L. littorea dominates in the east. Hybrids occur within the zone of overlap (Lumnitzera × rosea).Three genera of the tropical woody family Combretaceae, Laguncularia, Conocarpus, and Lumnitzera, are found in mangroves but Lumnitzera is the only one to occur in the Indo-West Pacific mangroves, including Australia.Lumnitzera racemosa var. racemosa (Tonga mangrove, Afrikaans: Tonga-wortelboom, Zulu: Isikhaha-esibomvu) is a protected tree in South Africa.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Kirala thrives in environments with consistent moisture and high humidity, making regular watering essential. Ideally, it should be watered twice a week. Although it can tolerate moderate drought, it's important to ensure adequate hydration to maintain its foliage and promote growth throughout the year, especially during peak seasons in its evergreen outdoor habitats.

☀️ Light Full sun

Kirala comes from open habitats—such as sunny meadows and forest margins—that provide abundant light. It does best in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, showing good adaptability to different light conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
FAQ
What are the sunlight requirements for Kirala?

Kirala (Lumnitzera littorea) thrives in conditions that meet its specific sunlight needs. For full sun exposure, it requires above 6 hours of sunlight daily. If the plant is in partial sun, it should receive about 3-6 hours of sunlight each day. It's important to observe the movement of sunlight through your garden to find the ideal spots that offer a perfect balance of light and shade, ensuring the plant's well-being and happiness.

🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Kirala comes from tropical areas, where the climate is generally warm and humid. As a result, it is well adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature shifts and prefers a stable temperature environment, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It usually cannot endure cold temperatures and requires higher temperatures for growth. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Early spring, as the Kirala breaks dormancy, is the best time to fertilize. This encourages overall growth and flower development. Fertilizing improves foliage, stems, and branches and supports flowers that are larger, more vivid, and longer-lasting. It also helps transport nutrients from the roots to the blooms and enhances the plant's health and resistance to disease.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Kirala is known for its vibrant red flowers and dense foliage. To ensure healthy growth and proper airflow, it's best to prune the plant in early spring. Start by removing any dead or diseased branches, and then trim back overgrown areas to maintain its shape. Regular pruning helps prevent pest infestations and encourages a bushier growth habit. Always use clean, sharp tools to minimize damage to the plant.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Lumnitzera
Family
Combretaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
24.99 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 4.88 m
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
Red
Flower Size
3.05 cm to 4.57 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Fiji, Brunei, China

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