Common Name: Narrow leaved kandelia. Tamil Name: Kanthal
Kandelia genus belongs to Rhizophoraceae family and is a mangrove plant. It has wide distribution over the Indian coast, Burma and China. It grows to a height of about 2 meters. Leaves are opposite and decussate in arrangement. Leaf shape is elliptic-oblong and margins are entire. The flowers are in white in color. The stamens numbering more than 40 can be seen inserted into the tubular flower. The fruit is ovoid in shape and is one seeded. The seeds are viviparous. Unlike in many other mangrove species pneumatophores (breathing roots) are absent. This plant was observed in mangrove area of Goa state. Kandelia candel is reported to be extinct in Pichavaram mangroves of Tamilnadu.
