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.
Rhizophora mangle L.
Red mangrove
Rhizophoraceae (Red Mangrove Family)
USDA Symbol: RHMA2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
At maturity, this evergreen plant becomes a tangled mass of prop roots, aerial roots, branches and leaves. The brown, cylindrical fruits of these evergreen shrubs or trees are preceded by small, clustered, yellow-green, star-like flowers, with four leathery petals. The conspicuous prop roots growing down from the branches are usually the distinguishing characteristic of this mangrove which can grow to 30 ft. in height.
Mangroves do not propagate using ordinary means of dispersal. Rather, young plants begin to grow while still attached to the parent tree, developing into propagules that drop into the water and float along until an appropriate substrate is encountered. The germinating fruits of the Red Mangrove are quite spectacular: pendulous, torpedo-like seedlings dangling from the branches. The lima-bean–like pods of the Black Mangrove split almost immediately when the fruit falls. And though they are not as visible, the spongy-coated, ribbed fruits of the White Mangrove often sprout as soon as they are stranded in soil. Propagules of all three mangroves take root mainly in sheltered areas or on shorelines with relatively low wave energy, which can be found throughout much of the southwestern and southern parts of Florida.
From the Image Gallery
No images of this plant
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , GreenBloom Time: Jan , Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov , Dec
Distribution
USA: FL , HINative Distribution: S. & c. FL
Native Habitat: Shallow marine coastlines
USDA Native Status: L48(N), HI(I), PR(N), VI(N)
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Wet
Soil Description: Wet, brackish soils.
Conditions Comments: Rhizophora mangle often forms impenetrable thickets on salt or brackish shores. Its flowers and fruit occur most abundantly in late summer. The berry germinates on the tree, producing a 10-12 in. seedling that falls to the water and floats until it reaches water of suitable depth to establish its roots in the mud. With their tangle of vegetation, red mangroves are effective barriers to erosion.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Rhizophora mangle is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
Mangrove Skipper (Phocides pigmalion)  Larval Host |
Propagation
Description: Not AvailableSeed 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
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
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 Rhizophora mangle in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Rhizophora mangle in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rhizophora mangle
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff
