White Mangrove

"White Mangrove"

This tree grows on aerial prop roots, which arch above the water level, giving stands of this tree the characteristic "mangrove" appearance. Submerged roots have red bark an its yellow-green leaves often appear white due to the excreted salt build up. The tree is distributed in estuary ecosystems throughout the tropics. Its elongated seed pods become fully mature plants before dropping off of the parent tree. These are dispersed by water until eventually rooting in the shallows.

Basic Information

Anatomy

White Mangroves are easily identified by their unique prop roots system and seed pods. The prop roots of a red mangrove suspend it over the water, thereby giving it extra support and protection. They also allow the tree to take direct oxygen through this root structure. The bark is thick and a grey-brown color while submerged roots are red in color. Mangrove leaves are 1 to 2 inches wide and 4 to 7 inches long, with smooth sides and an oval shape rounded at both ends. Leaves are yellow-green on the top and lighter on the bottoms. The tree produces small white flowers in the spring.

Genetics and Reproduction

The White Mangrove creates a seed pod that is in reality a living tree. The reddish mangrove seed pod is capable of rooting and producing a new tree on its own and may float in brackish water for over a year before rooting. The trees are capable of self pollination or wind pollination. The tree undergoes no dormant stage as a seed, but rather progresses to a live plant before leaving its parent tree.

Growth Rate & Stages

40 to 60 feet tall.

Ecology and Habitats

Due to their adaptation to salt water conditions, the White Mangrove thrives where many other plants fail and create their own ecosystems, the Mangroves. They are often found in bays, lagoons, or tidal rivers. An interesting feature of the plant is its ability to extract the salt out of the water that it's taken in and deposit those salt crystals on its leaves, often creating what appears to be white looking leaves.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The tree requires tropical, coastal conditions such as warm temperatures, ample light exposure, ideally be close to 10 to 12 hours each day, and humidity levels should be 50% or move. The growth rate of this plant is heavily dependent on proper conditions around it.

Biological Cycle

The White Mangrove grows from a seed pod that is in reality a living tree. Due to it's location where there the season are basically all the same, there are no significant seasonal changes.

Additional Information

Domestication

Easily grown in a variety of waterlogged environments. Easily adapted to fresh, salt, and brackish waters.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The White Mangrove has many uses besides those of typical trees. While they do preform a particular job in nature of anchoring a shoreline and preventing erosion, they are also used to create charcoal and make tannin. The salt that accumulates on its leaves, after going through a natural filtration process inside the mangrove itself, is highly sought after for its purity, and for its ease of collection. The alternative is to collect sea water and boil away the water, leaving behind the salt and other unwanted formerly dissolved substances.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

White Mangroves are found in subtropical and tropical areas, extending to approximately 25°N to S latitude. They thrive on coastlines in brackish water and in swampy salt marshes.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Plant

Scientific Name

Laguncularia Racemosa

Lifespan

50 years

Conservation Status

A common species found in brackish waters, marshes, and estuaries. While typically found in certain parts of the world, when they are found, they grow in vast numbers and create their own ecosystem. Due to the large number of trees they are not under protection and serve many useful functions for the local communities.

Average Height

40 to 60 feet tall.

Average Physique

Tall thin trees on reddish prop roots extending above and below the water.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

The bark is grey-brown in color, while submerged roots are red in color. Mangrove leaves are a yellow-green, and lighter on the bottom and have small white flowers in the spring.