Known as Kan'doo in the Maldives, Bruguiera cylindrica was a staple food during the second world war. A medium to large mangrove tree, that can grow up to 20 meters, with greyish bark and short buttresses and kneed roots that rise above the substrate. It has opposite, long-stalked leaves with leathery leaf blades that are oval, shiny green above, and light green below. The pendulous flowers are borne on short stalks, in small clusters of about 3. The calyx of the flowers is short and light green, and the petals are long, white and hairy with bristles at the tip.