| Pelliciera rhizophorae | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Pellicieraceae Planch. & Triana |
| Genus: | Pelliciera Planch. & Triana |
| Species: | P. rhizophorae |
| Binomial name | |
| Pelliciera rhizophorae Planch. & Triana |
|
Pelliciera rhizophorae, known as the tea mangrove, is a less-common species of mangroves found along the Pacific coast from the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica to the Esmeraldas River in Ecuador as well as within stands located in Nicaragua, Panama, and Colombia.[1] During eras such as the Cenozoic, the species was prevalent. The Mangrove Hummingbirds of Costa Rica live off the relatively large quantity of pollen produced by its prolific blooms.[2] P. rhizophorae is the only species in the genus Pelliciera and family Pellicieraceae.[3][4]
Sexuality: Hermaphrodite. Foliage: Evergreen; leaves alternate. Flowers: Deciduous, single blooms with two bracteoles, five sepals, five petals, and five stamens. Fruit has a leathery texture with one seed.[5]