Avicennia germinans

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Black mangrove
Black mangrove growing in Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Avicennia
Species:	A. germinans
Binomial name
Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Distribution of Avicennia germinans
Synonyms[2]
Avicennia africana P.Beauv. Avicennia elliptica Thunb. Avicennia elliptica var. martii Moldenke Avicennia floridana Raf. Avicennia floridana Gand. Avicennia germinans f. aberrans Moldenke Avicennia germinans f. brasiliensis Moldenke Avicennia germinans f. venezuelensis Moldenke Avicennia germinans var. guayaquilensis (Kunth) Moldenke Avicennia germinans var. cumanensis (Kunth) Moldenke Avicennia lamarckiana C.Presl Avicennia meyeri Miq. Avicennia nitida Jacq. Avicennia nitida Sessé & Moc. Avicennia nitida var. trinitensis Moldenke Avicennia oblongifolia Nutt. ex Chapm. Avicennia officinalis var. lanceolata Kuntze Avicennia officinalis var. nitida Kuntze Avicennia tomentosa Jacq. Avicennia tomentosa var. campechensis Jacq. Avicennia tomentosa var. cumanensis Kunth Avicennia tomentosa var. guayaquilensis Kunth Bontia germinans L. Hilairanthus nitidus (Jacq.) Tiegh. Hilairanthus tomentosus (Jacq.) Tiegh.

Avicennia germinans, the black mangrove,

Like many other mangrove species, it reproduces by vivipary. Seeds are encased in a fruit, which reveals the germinated seedling when it falls into the water.

Unlike other mangrove species, it does not grow on prop roots, but possesses pneumatophores that allow its roots to breathe even when submerged. It is a hardy species and expels absorbed salt mainly from its leathery leaves.

The name "black mangrove" refers to the color of the trunk and

The black mangrove grows just above the high tide in coastal areas. It is less tolerant of highly saline conditions than certain other species that occur in mangrove ecosystems.^[4] It can reach 10–15 m (33–49 ft) in height, although it is a small shrub in cooler regions of its range. The seeds germinate in midsummer, but may be seen all year on the trees. The seeds can remain viable for over a year once released.

Wood

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The heartwood is dark-brown to black, while the sapwood is yellow-brown. It has the unusual property of having less dense heartwood than sapwood. The sapwood sinks in water while the heartwood floats. The wood is strong, heavy, and hard, but is difficult to work due to its interlocked grain, and is somewhat difficult to finish due to its oily texture. Uses include posts, pilings, charcoal, and fuel. Despite growing in a marine environment, the dry wood is subject to attack by marine borers and termites. Like many species, it contains tannins in the bark and has been used to tan leather products.

References