In the Garden - Mangroves in Florida

In Florida, we find ourselves among mangroves, true Florida native plants. Not only are these trees/shrubs aesthetically pleasures, but they also serve multiple critical purposes that stabilize our Florida coastlines and fisheries.

IDENTIFICATION
Over fifty species of mangroves are found worldwide, most of which occur between the Tropic of Cancer and the Topic of Capricorn. These mangroves are found in salt water locales and thrive there because they have the ability to filter out or exclude salt. When found in large numbers in the coastal wetland habitats, these large mangrove groups are termed mangrove forests. Only three species of mangroves grow in Florida; they are described below.

* The Black Mangrove, Avicennia germinans, has finger-like roots that protrude from the soil at the tree`s/shrub`s base. This mangrove grows at slightly higher elevations than the water`s edge and is the most cold hardy of the three Florida mangroves.

* The Red Mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, has tangled, reddish roots called "prop roots," and appears to be standing in the water, hence called "walking tree." This mangrove grows at the water`s edge.

* The White Mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, has no visible aerial root system. Leaves are light yellow green and are elliptical. This mangrove grows at the higher elevations and is the least cold hardy of the Florida mangroves.

The following may prove helpful for easy identification.

MANGROVE TYPE: BLACK - RED - WHITE


COLOR
Black - Name "black" comes from the bark`s dark color
Red - Name "red" comes from the color inside the bark
White - Name "white" comes from the bark`s whitish color

ROOTS
Black - Finger-like roots protruding from the soil at the tree`s base
Red - Tangled, reddish roots, looks like standing or walking on water
White - No visible root system

LOCALE
Black - At slightly higher elevation than water`s edge
Red - At water`s edge
White - Still slightly higher elevations

COLD HARDINESS
Black - Most cold hardy
White - Least cold hardy

SEEDS
Black - Lima bean shaped
Red - Pencil shaped
White - Arrowhead shaped

LEAVES
Black - Oblong,
Red - salt-covered Shiny,
White - pointed Rounded

FLOWERS
Black - white
Red - Pale yellow
White - Clusters of small white flowers

BENEFITS
Multiple benefits emanate from mangroves. Physically these trees/shrubs are bastions which stabilize and protect our coastlines by protecting them against strong winds and tides. Further, mangroves gather sediments from water moving around their roots and from their own leaf drop; they consequently increase soil at their bases and along the coastlines. Further, mangroves collect, filter, and remove runoff, debris, and other pollutants from uplands thus keeping water quality in its cleaner, more natural state. Mangrove roots serve as nurseries, providing shelter and food, for crustaceans, fish, and shellfish. Mangroves provide areas for myriad bird species to nest and breed.

Do, enjoy your walks along our coastlines and try to specifically identify these three true Florida natives.