The oriental Mangrove or 'Bodavaki' is a medium sized tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall. It has a rough bark with lenticels, which is dark grey to brown. The base of the plant is buttressed and produces kneed roots. These roots protrude above the surface. When flowering, small clusters of the reddish calyxes can be seen through the Bodavaki tree. The petals of the flowers are long and have a white to creamy orange colour.