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Excoecaria agallocha

milky mangrove

Euphorbiaceae

Tropical coasts of East Africa, Asia, northern Australia, and the Pacific

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant

SunFull Sun

WaterHigh

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Excoecaria agallocha is a mangrove tree or large shrub growing 10-50 feet (3-15 m) tall, with a spreading crown and a trunk that branches low to the ground. The leaves are oval to elliptic, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long, glossy dark green turning bright red before they fall, and arranged alternately. The plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate trees in slender greenish-yellow catkin-like spikes. Flowering occurs in spring and summer. All parts contain a copious milky white latex that is caustic; contact can cause skin blistering and severe eye irritation or temporary blindness, which gives the blind-your-eye common name. Smoke from burning the wood is also irritating. The tree grows in the landward zone of mangroves and along tidal rivers and estuaries across tropical Asia, northern Australia, and the Pacific, on muddy, saline soils. Unlike many mangroves it lacks aerial breathing roots and grows where flooding is less frequent. It tolerates salt and waterlogging but is restricted to frost-free coastal climates. The bright red dying leaves stand out against the surrounding green canopy.

Native Range

Native to tropical coasts from East Africa and Asia through northern Australia and the western Pacific. It grows in the landward zone of mangrove forests and along tidal rivers and estuaries on muddy, saline soils.

Suggested Uses

Found mainly in natural mangrove forests and coastal wetland restoration rather than ornamental planting. The wood and latex have been used in traditional medicine and as a fish poison in parts of its range. The tree contributes to shoreline stabilization and mangrove habitat.

How to Identify

Identify Excoecaria agallocha by its glossy oval leaves that turn bright red before falling and its slender greenish-yellow catkin-like flower spikes on separate male and female trees. Broken leaves and stems release a copious milky white latex. The combination of a mangrove habitat, milky sap, and reddening leaves distinguishes it from other estuary trees.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 50'

Width/Spread10' - 30'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs in spring and summer, with male and female catkin-like spikes borne on separate trees. The slender greenish-yellow spikes are wind- and insect-pollinated. Small three-lobed capsules follow on female trees and split to release the seed.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, turning red before falling

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

clay silt sand

Drainagewet

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

8-15 years to mature height

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Excoecaria agallocha grows in full sun on muddy, saline, tidal soils in the landward zone of mangroves. It tolerates salt, waterlogging, and tidal flooding but is limited to frost-free tropical and subtropical coasts. All parts contain a caustic milky latex that blisters skin and can cause severe eye injury or temporary blindness on contact. Because of this sap, the tree is worked only with full skin and eye protection and is rarely planted in gardens. It is mostly encountered in natural mangrove stands and coastal restoration rather than cultivation.

Pruning

Pruning is rarely done because the caustic latex makes cutting hazardous. Where removal is needed, the work is carried out with full skin and eye protection. In natural stands the tree is left unpruned.