The first occurrence of halophyte <i>Oryza coarctata</i> in the mid-southern coast of Bangladesh

Abstract Salt marshes and other coastal habitats are essential for preserving ecological balance because they provide a habitat for a variety of species, prevent erosion, and mitigate climate change. The salt-tolerant wild species of rice Oryza coarctata is highly valuable because it may be used to develop crops that can withstand salt. It is a species that is well suited to coastal areas. This study documents the first recorded occurrence of O. coarctata along the mid-southern coast of Bangladesh, specifically in the intertidal zone of the Andharmanik River, Patuakhali, Bangladesh. The distribution and features of the species were evaluated by morphological studies and field surveys. The results show considerable variability of O. coarctata in shoot density (300 to 830 shoots m −2 ), plant height (5 to 152 cm), leaf length (2.7 to 29 cm), and biomass (48 to 71 g dry weight m −2 ), indicating the species’ phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental conditions. This finding highlights the potential expansion of O. coarctata ’s known distribution area.