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Laguncularia racemosa (L.)C.F.Gaertn.
White Mangrove
Florida native
A frequent shrub or small tree of tidal swamps from St. Johns and Levy Counties south into the Keys. The U.S. range also includes Texas, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Growing up to 18m (~60 ft.) in height with opposite leaves 2.5-8cm (1-3 in.) long and 2.5-3cm (1 - 1-1/4 in.) wide. The leaves are oval shaped, smooth and thick with a prominent mid-vein and often notched at the tip. The petioles are distinctive with two conspicuous glands just below the base of the leaf. The tiny flowers are white and borne on a branching inflorescence in the leaf axils and branch tips. Fruit is green to reddish, 1-1.5cm (4/10 - 6/10 in.) long, narrow at the base and wider at the tip, with ten lengthwise ribs.
This is one of the four species in three separate families that are considered mangroves, a grouping made due to their shared habitat and each species' unique adaptations for tolerating the salt-water environment. The other members of this group are the red mangrove, black mangrove and buttonwood, or button mangrove.
The Wild Florida Photo Mangrove page.
Laguncularia racemosa is a member of the Combretaceae - Indian Almond family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Nov 10, 2023
