Avicennia germinans

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iBlack mangrove
A. germinans in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Avicennia Species: A. germinans
Binomial name
Avicennia germinans L.

Avicennia germinans, the black mangrove, plays a key role in the mangrove ecosystem by trapping debris and detritus brought in by tides, and as feeding, breeding, and nursery grounds for many species of shellfish, fish, birds and other wildlife.

A. germinans grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean where it thrives on sandy and muddy shores that are exposed to the air at low tide and covered at high tide. It can grow to heights of 15 metres in the tropics, but becomes small and shrub-like at the northern limits of its range.

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.