Avicennia germinans

black mangrove

Did you know?:

Black mangrove plants are surrounded by small, finger-like, woody structures that protrude from their roots (pneumatophores) and specialize in gas-exchange so the submerged roots of the plants can "breathe."

Photo Credit:

What does this species look like?

Black mangrove is an evergreen shrub to tree, growing 30 to 50 feet tall, surrounded by thin, finger-like, upright pneumatophores (oxygen-supplying woody structures) emerging from the roots. Its small, fragrant, white flowers have both male and female parts, and are loosely grouped into showy clusters.

Black mangrove is intolerant of frost or shade. It lives in sandy, silty clay loam, and muck soils flooded with saltwater, and is located in the inland swamps of our southern coast. It is generally found at slightly higher tidal elevations than red mangrove.

Why observe this species?

Black mangrove is a USA-NPN regional plant species. Regional species are ecologically or economically important and are distributed more locally than calibration species. The USA-NPN integrates these observations to better understand plant responses within the different geographic regions of the nation.

Where is this species found?

U.S. States:

FL, LA, MS, PR, TX, VI

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Which phenophases should I observe?

Leaves	Do you see...? *Breaking leaf buds* One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base. How many buds are breaking? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Young leaves* One or more young unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "young" and "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible, but before the leaf has reached full size or turned the darker green color of mature leaves on the plant. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible. How many young leaves are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10
Flowers	Do you see...? *Flowers* One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried. How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Open flowers* One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant. How many fresh flowers are open? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 Peak flower: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more are open and still fresh. More...
Fruits	Do you see...? *Fruits* One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant. How many fresh fruits are present? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Ripe fruits* One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant. How many fruits are ripe? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More... *Recent fruit drop* One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind. How many mature fruits have dropped? Less than 3 3 to 10 More than 10 More...

Leaves

Do you see...?

Breaking leaf buds
One or more breaking leaf buds are visible on the plant. A leaf bud is considered "breaking" once a green leaf tip is visible at the end of the bud, but before the first leaf from the bud has unfolded to expose the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base.

How many buds are breaking?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Young leaves
One or more young unfolded leaves are visible on the plant. A leaf is considered "young" and "unfolded" once the leaf stalk (petiole) or leaf base is visible, but before the leaf has reached full size or turned the darker green color of mature leaves on the plant. The leaf may need to be bent backwards to see whether the leaf stalk or leaf base is visible.

How many young leaves are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

Flowers

Do you see...?

Flowers
One or more fresh flowers or flower heads (inflorescences) are visible on the plant. Flower heads include many small flowers that usually do not open all at once. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant, or heads whose flowers have all wilted or dried.

How many fresh flowers or flower heads are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Open flowers
One or more open fresh flowers are visible on the plant. Flowers are considered "open" when the reproductive parts (male stamens or female pistils) are visible between unfolded or open flower parts. Do not include wilted or dried flowers that remain on the plant.

How many fresh flowers are open?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

Peak flower: The plant has a large number of flowers and one half (50%) or more are open and still fresh.

More...

Fruits

Do you see...?

Fruits
One or more fresh fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fresh fruits are present?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Ripe fruits
One or more ripe fruits are visible on the plant.

How many fruits are ripe?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

Recent fruit drop
One or more fresh mature fruits or seeds have dropped or been removed from the plant since your last visit. Do not include obviously immature fruits that have dropped before ripening, such as in a heavy rain or wind.

How many mature fruits have dropped?

Less than 3

3 to 10

More than 10

More...

For more information

USDA PLANTS profile for black mangrove (USDA Symbol: AVGE)
ITIS information for black mangrove (ITIS TSN: 32137)

Acknowledgments

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