Mangroves in the Northern Territory - Department of Land Resource ...

Excoecaria ovalis (Blind your eye)
Northern Territory Mangrove Education Kit
This is generally a small tree or shrub which
can reach up to 4 metres in height. The roots
of this species occasionally knot above the soil
surface. Excoecaria can be found in and
around mudflats and in coastal mangrove
communities (Wightman 1983).
Plate 29: Oval shaped leaves and white latex of
Excoecaria ovalis (Blind your eye)
The species name 'ovalis' refers to the oval shape of the leaves. The leaves generally
range between 3 and 7 cm in length. If plucked from the stem Excoecaria leave stems
will release a small amount of milky white fluid called latex. The flowers of
Excoecaria occur between October and December. The individual flowers of this
species are tiny, the inflorescence produced are in the form of spikes up to 3 cm long.
Small mottled brown seeds occur between December and February (Wightman 1983).
While the latex of Excoecaria is considered to
be toxic and is thought to cause irritation to
eyes (hence the common name), it can be used
medicinally in the treatment of some diseases
including leprosy and for marine stings. The
timber may also be used for firewood
(Wightman 1983).
Plate 30: Excoecaria ovalis (Blind your eye)
tree
Plate 31: Excoecaria ovalis (Blind your eye)
leaves
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