Rhizophora

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Rhizophora
Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) branch with germinating seed in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Eudicotyledoneae Subclass: Rosidae (unranked): Eurosids I Order: Malpighiales Family: Rhizophoraceae Genus: Rhizophora
Species
Several, see text

Rhizophora is a genus of tropical mangrove trees, sometimes collectively called true mangroves. The most notable species is the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) but some other species and a few natural hybrids are known. Rhizophora species generally live in inter-tidal areas which are indundated daily by the ocean. They exhibit a number of adaptations to this environment, including stilt-roots that elevate the plants above the water and allow them to respire oxygen even while their lower roots are submerged, and a cytological molecular "pump" mechanism that allows them to remove excess salts from their cells.

The beetle Poecilips fallax is a common pest of these trees.

The Red Mangrove is the state tree of Delta Amacuro in Venezuela; a dark brown dye can be produced from it, which is used in Tongan ngatu cloth production.

Selected species

• Rhizophora apiculata – bakauan lalaki (Philippines) bakau minyak
• Rhizophora × lamarckii (R. apiculata × R. stylosa)
• Rhizophora mangle – Red Mangrove, tongo (Tonga)
• Rhizophora mucronata Lam.
• Rhizophora racemosa
• Rhizophora × selala (Salvoza) P.B.Tomlinson (R. mangle × R. stylosa)
• Rhizophora stylosa Griff. – Spotted Mangrove, bakauan bato (Philippines)

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