The Conocorpus, A “Threat” or “Rumor”
Buttonwood or Conocarpus erectus is a widespread species of terrestrial mangrove along tropical and subtropical coasts of the Americas and West Africa. It grows as a shrub or small tree on the coastal mainland and on islands of a variety of sizes. It has two varieties "silver" and "green", having highly pubescent and nearly glabrous leaves, respectively. This species is widely distributed in coastal communities in tropical America and West Africa. It can be found throughout Florida and to the Bahamas and West Indies south to Brazil. In the Eastern Pacific, it is present in Mexico through Central America to Ecuador and the Galapagos. It is also found in West Africa. It was introduced in Hawaii, Kuwait, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
In Pakistan it was first introduced by the Former Mayor of Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal who planted around 2.2 million Conocarpus plants almost everywhere in Karachi. This has dramatically transformed the city landscape and provided a thick shadow to the humans and animals. These plant also playing role in reducing carbon imprint by absorbing city’s ever increasing CO2 and producing the oxygen. In addition, It gives another life to the desert looking parks and concrete jungles. Because of its tendency to grow in harsh soil with presence of saline ground waters, this plant has become the most favorite tree of this city. When it was first imported to Karachi the price was around Rs.15000-25000/plant, however when local nurseries started propagating them due huge demand from the citizens and the government, prices were decreased to Rs.15-25/plant. As I already mentioned that this is a tropical plant, which belongs to the mangrove family, Karachi’s soil provided this plant a favorable environment to grow and flourish here. It’s physiology is not much different from our local trees like Neem, Ficus, Lignum, Flamboyant, Moringa, Eucalyptus, Amaltas, Imlee and so on. It is continuously purifying Karachi’s air pollution for years and reducing the salinity of ground waters as well. In the western world this tree also has economic value for its hard wood which is used in making furniture, charcoal manufacturing and medicinal uses.
Since, few days there are rumors about this innocent tree, that it is causing allergy and asthma in Karachi’s population. Even on a private news channel, reporter has made such a foolish reporting against Conocorpus.
A research study published by University of Karachi and The Aga Khan University in 2015, the Conocorpus was not even in the list of allergy causing plants. Another Research from University of Lahore, has reported that this tree has both antibacterial as well as antifungal properties. Even if you search “top 100 allergic plant in the world” on the Google, surprisingly Conocorpus is not there!
The Globally recognized American research organization “National Center for Biotechnology Information”(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/), which is authority for “ANY NEW MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT/RESEARCH” does not have any evidence for allergy caused by the Conocorpus.
“Till now there is no such case reported for its harmful effect in Human as well as animals from anywhere in the world.”
Instead of removing Conocorpus, Karachi needs another 2.2 million trees of other native varieties in its soil. Karachi’s climate favors majority of plants than any other city of Pakistan because of its soft sandy soil, moderate weather and high humidity levels.
The paid “Timber Mafia” has now eyes on the 2.2 million Conocorpus trees for its precious wood and want to fill their every bottomless pocket like they did with Karachi’s Giant Eucalyptus trees.
It’s time to re-think about this tree because every rumor is not TRUE…!
Research By,
Zia Mujahid
Member Pakistan Bonsai Society
Contact: +92-3417679089 https://www.facebook.com/XiaMujahid.aNeX
References: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?11263 https://ecommons.aku.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi? referer=https://www.google.com.pk/&httpsredir=1&article=1328&context=pakistan_fhs_mc_med_ med https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263241536_ANTIBACTERIAL_AND_ANTIFUNGAL_ ACTIVITY_OF_CONOCARPUS_LANCIFOLIUS_ENGL_COMBRETACEAE_Corresponding_ Author http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Conocarpus+erectus http://eol.org/pages/582725/details Conocarpus erectus
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Conocarpus erectus
Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Combretaceae Genus: Conocarpus Species: C. erectus Binomial name Conocarpus erectus L., 1753[1] Conocarpus erectus, commonly called buttonwood or button mangrove,[2] is a mangrove shrub in the family Combretaceae. This species grows on shorelines in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Range Locations it is known from include Florida, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Central and South America from Mexico to Brazil on the Atlantic coast and Mexico to Ecuador on the Pacific coast, western Africa and in Melanesia and Polynesia. It was introduced in Kuwait because it can thrive in high temperatures and absorbs brackish water.
Description Conocarpus erectus is usually a dense multiple-trunked shrub, 1–4 m (3.3–13.1 ft) tall, but can grow into a tree up to 20 m (66 ft) or more tall, with a trunk up to 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter. The United States National Champion green buttonwood is 35 ft (11 m) tall, has a spread of 70 ft (21 m), and a circumference of 207 in (530 cm).[3] The bark is thick and has broad plates of thin scales which are gray to brown. The twigs are brittle, and angled or narrowly winged in cross- section. The leaves are alternately arranged, simple and oblong, 2–7 cm (0.79–2.76 in) long (rarely to 10 cm or 3.9 in long) and 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) broad, with a tapering tip and an entire margin. They are dark green and shiny on top, and paler with fine silky hairs underneath, and have two salt glands at the base of each leaf.[4] The fruits are button-like (from which the common names derive), 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) diameter, with no petals; they are produced in stalked panicles of 35-56 flowers. The fruit is a cluster of red to brown, small scaly, two-winged cone-like seeds, 5– 15 mm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The seed heads burst when ripe, and the seeds are dispersed by water. It is generally found growing in brackish water in tidal lagoons and bays, but can grow in inland habitats, with records at up to 745 m (2,444 ft) altitude in Costa Rica.[4]
Conocarpus erectus var. erectus
Taxonomy There are two varieties, not accepted as distinct by all authorities: • Conocarpus erectus var. erectus - green buttonwood, leaves thinly hairy or hairless • Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus - silver buttonwood, leaves densely silvery-hairy Uses The tree is used as an ornamental plant and in bonsai. The variety sericeus, with silvery leaves, is especially prized for landscaping. It is an important host plant for epiphytes. As a result of ornamental planting, it has become naturalized in Hawaii. It has been used extensively in landscaping in Kuwait and became the most abundant tree/shrub. Conocarpus is widely believed to be fodder for the African buffalo, and it is understood that this is the source of their acidic urine. [citation needed] The wood is sometimes used in cabinets; it is difficult to work but takes a smooth finish. It is also used as firewood, and is reported to be good for smoking meat and fish, as it burns very hot and slowly; it also makes high quality charcoal. The bark is high in tannin, for which it has been harvested commercially.
Gallery Silver Buttonwood growing along sand dunes in Miami Beach (South Beach)
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Silver Buttonwood
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Detail - Leaves and Fruit
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Silver Buttonwood and Palm •
Silver Buttonwood and Coconut Palm Trees
References 1. • "Conocarpus erectus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2009- 10-11. • "Flora of the Southern and Mid-Atlantic States". • "Florida State and National Champions 2009" (PDF). Florida Division of Forestry. 2009- 08-07. Retrieved 2009-10-11. 4. US Forest Service • USDA Forest Service: Conocarpus erectus (pdf file) • Center for Wood Anatomy Research - retrieved July 1, 2006 • Florida Forest Trees - Buttonwood (Conocarpus erectus) - retrieved July 1, 2006 • A Collection of Articles About Buttonwood from Issues of the Florida Bonsai Magazine - retrieved July 1, 2006 • Natives for your neighborhood - Buttonwood - retrieved July 1, 2006 • Mangroves-Florida's Coastal Trees - retrieved July 4, 2006
External links • Media related to Conocarpus erectus at Wikimedia Commons