[7][8] Lumnitzera racemosa is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, growing to a maximum height of 37 m (121 ft).

The leaves are arranged spirally at the tips of the shoots; they are simple and obovate, with slightly toothed margins.

[3] Its range includes KwaZulu-Natal, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Aldabra, Seychelles, Chagos Archipelago, Maldives, India, Sri Lanka, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, southeast China, Hainan, Taiwan, Nansei-shoto, Korea, South China Sea, Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and New Caledonia.

[6] It grows in the higher part of the intertidal zone and is found both on beaches and lining the banks of creeks.

[1] The variety of racemosa, also known as Tonga mangrove (Afrikaans: Tonga-wortelboom, Zulu: Isikhaha-esibomvu), is a protected tree in South Africa.