Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove)

Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove) is a large shrub to medium-sized evergreen tree with a short, crooked trunk and a narrow rounded crown. The opposite, pale grayish-green leaves, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), are oval, thick and leathery. They are noted for the presence of two glands on the petiole just below the leaf base, where excess salt is excreted. Blooming all year-round, with a peak from spring to fall, tiny white fragrant flowers emerge on short, branched spikes near the tips of the branches. The flowers attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators. They are followed by greenish to reddish, ribbed fruit pods that contain one seed. The bark is light brown with vertical ridges. Thicket-forming, this species produces many roots that bind the soil well and is very effective in controlling and reducing coastal erosion. Exceptionally salt tolerant, it can be used as a hedge in coastal sites, as a windbreak or to stabilize shorelines. Hurricane wind resistant, White Mangrove occurs naturally in the coastal areas of south Florida, most of the West Indies, tropical America and the coast of West Africa.

• Grows up to 30-40 ft. tall (9-12 m) and 20-30 ft. wide (6-9 m).
• Performs best in full sun to part shade in moist to wet saline soils. Grows best with some organic content and may languish in nutrient poor soils. Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation, it can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt spray without injury.
• No serious pest or disease issues.
• Propagate by seeds.
• Native to the coasts of western Africa from Senegal to Cameroon, the Atlantic Coast of the Americas from Bermuda and Florida to the Bahamas, Mexico, the Caribbean, and south to Brazil; and on the Pacific Coast of the Americas from Mexico to northwestern Peru, including the Galápagos Islands.