Rhizophora mangle

Overview

UF/IFAS describes red mangrove as salt-tolerant and sensitive to freezing. Its thick, leathery leaves are opposite, elliptic to oblong, dark green above and paler below. Exposed branching prop roots descend from the trunk and branches; inner bark, roots and small twigs can have a reddish tone.

A 2017 laboratory experiment grew Florida-collected red and black mangrove propagules under sun or shade after zero to four weeks in seawater. Establishment was best after one week; longer flotation reduced productivity. Sun-grown seedlings produced more biomass; shaded seedlings were taller with larger leaves.

Viviparous seedlings develop on the parent tree as elongated green propagules before dropping. Potential persistence during dispersal differs from optimal establishment. The experiment tests particular light and flotation treatments rather than every habitat.

Origins & earliest records

Institutional diagnosis complements a controlled propagule-establishment study.

Evidence & interpretation

Laboratory treatment effects are distinguished from species-wide dispersal capacity.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Rhizophora mangle, Red Mangrove

   Medina Irizarry and Andreu

2. 02

   Establishment and Biomass Allocation of Black and Red Mangroves: Response to Propagule Flotation Duration and Seedling Light Availability

   Simpson, Osborne and Feller · 2017

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: Family placement follows UF/IFAS; no dated ancestral tree is inferred.

1. FamilyRhizophoraceae

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. University extensionRhizophora mangle, Red MangroveResearch access: 2026-10-11
2. Primary research abstractEstablishment and Biomass Allocation of Black and Red Mangroves: Response to Propagule Flotation Duration and Seedling Light AvailabilityResearch access: 2026-10-11

Image credits

AI scientific interpretation of Rhizophora mangle.

AI scientific interpretation of an imagined Rhizophora mangle.