Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn. f.
White mangrove
Combretaceae (West Indies-Almond Family)
USDA Symbol: LARA2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A shrub or tree to 30 ft. in height with thick, opposite, leathery, oval leaves, narrow rounded crown; trunk short, crooked, often with “knees”; thicket-forming. Short, branched spikes of white flowers are followed by red fruits.
The ecology of mangrove swamps closely parallels that of salt marshes: Salt-tolerant mangroves extend out from protected shores, trapping detritus and stabilizing land as they spread. As with marshes, the daily flushing and replenishment of the tides is critical to the swamps’ survival. Mangroves limit their internal salt concentration by screening out salt as they absorb water and/or by excreting it through specialized glands in their leaves. Though mangroves can survive in fresh water, they generally cannot compete with hardier plants that grow there.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: FLNative Distribution: S. & c. FL
Native Habitat: Brackish, tidal swamp edges at the highest ground of mangrove thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N), VI(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet, brackish soils.
Conditions Comments: This species produces an abundance of roots that bind soil well and could abate canal bank erosion. It is also suited to trimming and shaping and is salt-tolerant.
Propagation
Description: Propagation from seed is quite simple.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
From the National Suppliers Directory
According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery - Sanibel, FL
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Laguncularia racemosa in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Laguncularia racemosa in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Laguncularia racemosa
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff
