Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean
Introduction
Red mangrove is one of the most valuable trees for creating and preserving shorelines in south Florida and the Caribbean Basin. Sediments depositing among their adventitious prop roots can eventually build up to create land. Seeds often germinate while they are still on the tree. After they drop, they float to a new location where they can begin growing in the sediment below the water surface.
Figure 1. Full Form—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove
General Information
Scientific name: Rhizophora mangle
Pronunciation: rye-ZOFF-for-ruh MAN-glee
Common name(s): red mangrove
Family: Rhizophoraceae
Plant type: tree
USDA hardiness zones: 10 through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, and South America
UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native
Uses: reclamation plant
Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range.
Description
Height: 20 to 75 feet
Spread: 20 to 30 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: dense
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: none, or difficult to see
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 1 ½ to 6 inches
Leaf color: dark to medium green on top, paler green underneath with tiny black dots that may require a hand lens to view
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Figure 3. Leaf—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove
Figure 4. Leaf, Under—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove
Flower
Flower color: white
Flower characteristic: emerges in clusters of 2-3 on leaf axils
Flowering: primarily early to mid summer, but also year-round
Figure 5. Flower—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove
Fruit
Fruit shape: egg-shaped
Fruit length: 1 to 2 inches
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: persists on the plant; often with a pencil shaped propagule emerging from the base, extending up to 11", and varying from light green, dark green, to reddish brown
Fruiting: late summer to early fall
Figure 6. Fruit—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/branches: showy; no thorns
Bark: reddish brown and smooth, becoming gray and slightly fissured with age
Current year stem/twig color: brown
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Figure 7. Bark—Rhizophora mangle: red mangrove Credit: Gitta Hasing
Culture
Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; alkaline; sand; loam; clay; moist to wet
Drought tolerance: low
Soil salt tolerances: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: high
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: can form large surface roots
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant
Use and Management
Red mangroves will often be seen growing in shallow lagoons away from the land. Plants typically reach 20 feet tall, although old specimens 35 feet tall are not uncommon in undisturbed, natural settings. Plants respond poorly to pruning.
Reference
Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.
