Rhizophoraceae FAMILY

Rhizophora mangle

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Rhizophora mangle is a shrub or a small to medium-sized, round-topped, bushy tree growing 5 - 20 metres tall with occasional specimens to 30 metres. The straight bole can be free of branches for 9 - 12 metres and 20 - 70cm, occasionally to 90cm in diameter. The tree has branched, curved, and arching stilt roots 2 - 4.5 metres tall when growing in salt water[ 316 Title Tropical Timbers of the World. Ag. Handbook No. 607. Publication Author Chudnoff. Martin. Publisher USDA Forest Service. Wisconsin. Year 1984 ISBN Description Terse details on the properties of the wood of almost 400 species of trees from the Tropics. , 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. A multipurpose tree, it is used as a food in times of emergency, has medicinal properties and supplies a range of commodities. The bark, or the tannins extracted from it, are exported in quantity to America and Europe[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeCoastal areas of tropical America from Brazil and Peru north through the Caribbean and Central America to Mexico and Florida.

HabitatMangrove swamp forests over large flat areas of silty or muddy shores in salt and brackish water. Often forms pure stands on the seaward side and forms part of mixed stands on the landward side. Usually extends father seaward than other mangroves[ 418 Title Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ].