Edible Parts: Fruit  Leaves
Edible Uses: Pectin

Young berries - raw or cooked[301 , 451 ]. They can be eaten as a fruit, or cooked as a vegetable[418 ]. A sour flavour[451 ]. A cheese-like flavour[301 ]. The fruits are a source of pectin[418 ]. Young leaves - raw[418 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antitussive  Haemostatic  Parasiticide  Poultice  Skin

The plant is said to be haemostatic[269 ]. It is a folk remedy for sprains, swellings, and worms[269 ]. The old fruit walls are used as a treatment for worms[269 ]. Half-ripe fruits are a treatment for coughs[269 ]. The fruits are used to make poultices[269 ]. The pounded leaves are used as a treatment for haematuria and smallpox[269 ]. The leaves are crushed, mixed with salt and applied as a poultice onto cuts and bruises[269 ].

Fuel  Furniture  Parasiticide  Pectin  Pioneer  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A very important tree in the coastal swamp community, helping to protect the soil from erosion and providing an important habitat for wildlife[K ]. A fast-growing, pioneering species that colonizes newly formed mudflats and can expand rapidly in number, especially in optimum conditions of low salinity[338 ]. Other Uses The pneumatophores (vertical roots rising above ground) are used as floats for fish nets and, being corky in texture, are employed in the manufacture of inner soles for shoes and can be used as a substitute for cork or pith[345 ]. The roots are boiled before being used[451 ]. The bark is a source of tannins[418 ]. The heartwood is light brown to dark chocolate, the sapwood light greyish brown and 3 - 8cm thick[345 ]. When wet or under varnish, the heartwood of old mature trees looks almost black. The grain is straight or very slightly crossed; the texture fine, very homogeneous, smooth, but not glossy; it has a distinct salty taste and a fishy or swampy odour, especially when fresh[345 ]. The wood is moderately hard and moderately heavy to heavy[345 ]. It is easy to work; lasts well in the ground and even the sapwood is rarely attacked by insects; the heartwood is said to resist teredos very well[345 ]. The wood contains a small amount of salt, making the use of copper nails and screws necessary. It is used for piles, posts, poles, railway ties, paving blocks; ship, bridge, and wharf building; general strong construction; doors; siding, sheathing, ceiling, flooring, and all kinds of interior finish; ship planking and decking; furniture and cabinetwork; and musical instruments[345 ]. The wood is used for fuel, but only when better woods are not available[451 ].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest