Virginia Tech Dendrology

red mangrove Rhizophoraceae Rhizophora mangle L. symbol: RHMA2
Leaf: Opposite, simple, elliptical, entire margin, evergreen, thickened, 1 to 5 inches long, shiny green above, paler below.
Flower: Pale yellow, 4 petals in small cluster from leaf axils.
Fruit: Reddish brown, egg-shaped, 1 to 1 1/2 inches long, often germinate while still on the tree.
Twig: Stout, reddish brown, long (1 to 1 1/2 inches) green buds.
Bark: Initially smooth, later develops long, flat scaly gray ridges, furrows split revealing a reddish brown.
Form: Shrubby small tree that may reach up to 80 feet tall, reddish, tangled prop roots common that originate from the trunk and branches.
Looks like: black mangrove - buttonwood - white mangrove - pond apple

Additional Range Information: Rhizophora mangle is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database - Horticulture Information - USDAFS Forest Products Lab
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information