Conocarpus tree

Sept. 28, 2023

Recently, the Gujarat state government banned Conocarpus tree plantation in forest or non-forest areas, underlining its “adverse impacts on environment and human health”.

About Conocarpus tree:

  • It is a flowering plant belonging to the family of Combretaceae.
  • It is an invasive mangrove species.
  • Trees of this species flower in winter and spread pollen in nearby areas.
  • It has been used by various public authorities in India as landscaping for road medians, along roads, and in public gardens. 
  • Countries in the Arabian Peninsula have used the plant to block sand from desert storms and to control pollution.
  • This tree is famous for its dark green leaves color throughout the year and withstands harsh environmental conditions such as high and low temperatures.
  • It is very adaptive and could grow even in areas with extreme salinity.
  • It absorbs more water from soil than other species and is a threat to groundwater.
  • This species goes deep into the ground and grows too much to damage the communication cables, drainage lines and drinking water pipelines.
  • It is native to parts of North and South America, as well as parts of Africa.