American red mangrove
Rhizophora mangle

Family: Rhizophoraceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. The crown is thick, round and bushy. There are many tangling aerial roots. The bark is reddish-brown. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are shiny and dark green. They are narrowly oval and leathery. The flowers are white to pale yellow. They have 4 petals. The flowers occur in clusters. The fruit are dark rusty brown. They are egg shaped. The fruit has a starchy interior which is eaten.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on muddy tidal shores. The floating fruit are not damaged by salt water. It grows in mangrove swamps. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Antilles, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Malaysia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Society Islands, South America, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fermented juice of the fruit is used to produce wine. The starch of the fruit is used fresh and fermented. The roots and green sprouts or hypocotyl are also used the same way. The dried leaves are used for tea. (It is high in tannin so should be used sparingly and preferably milk added to bind the tannin) The roots are used as an emergency food.

It is an emergency food.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit, seeds, leaves - tea, root

How it is grown

The fruit can produce seedlings which float.

Its other names

Local names

American Mangrove, Bu, Bufende, Bugaha, Cassolaco, Fussossa, Iranga, Kakutiru, Konopo, Kunapo, M'pende, Manco, Mangle, Mangle blanco, Mangle colorado, Mangle gateado, Mangle macho, Mangle rojo, Mangle zapatero, Paletuvier-rouge, Pidjeu, Red mangrove, Sem-ah, Senhea, Sole, Tarafe, Tarrafe, Togo, Uba, Ugaha

Synonyms

Cakile americana Catesby non Nutt.; Rhizophora americana Nutt.; Rhizophora mangle var. samoensis Hochr.; Rhizophora samoensis (Hochr.) Salvoza; Rhizophora utrinque P. Browne;