''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
hybrid
Hybrid may refer to:
Science
* Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding
** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species
** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...
s are known. ''Rhizophora'' species generally live in
intertidal zone
The intertidal zone, also known as the foreshore, is the area above water level at low tide and underwater at high tide (in other words, the area within the tidal range). This area can include several types of habitats with various species o ...
s which are inundated daily by the ocean. They exhibit a number of adaptations to this environment, including
pneutomatophores that elevate the plants above the water and allow them to
respire oxygen even while their lower roots are submerged and a
cytological
Cell biology (also cellular biology or cytology) is a branch of biology that studies the structure, function, and behavior of cells. All living organisms are made of cells. A cell is the basic unit of life that is responsible for the living and ...
molecular "pump" mechanism that allows them to remove excess salts from their cells. The generic name is derived from the
Greek words ριζα (''rhiza''), meaning "root," and φορος (''phoros''), meaning "bearing," referring to the stilt-roots.
The beetle ''
Poecilips fallax'' is a common
pest
Pest or The Pest may refer to:
Science and medicine
* Pest (organism), an animal or plant deemed to be detrimental to humans or human concerns
** Weed, a plant considered undesirable
* Infectious disease, an illness resulting from an infection
** ...
of these trees, especially ''
Rhizophora mucronata
''Rhizophora mucronata'' (loop-root mangrove, red mangrove or Asiatic mangrove) is a species of mangrove found on coasts and river banks in East Africa and the Indo-Pacific region.
Description
''Rhizophora mucronata'' is a small to medium si ...
'' and ''
Rhizophora apiculata''. This beetle (related to carver beetles) lays its eggs in the
hypocotyls. When they hatch, the larvae dig tunnels through the
hypocotyl, distorting its shape, When the beetle pupates it leaves the plant, but the
hypocotyl will no longer be able to develop normally.
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.
Species
Hybrids
* ''
Rhizophora × annamalayana''
Kathiresan (''R. apiculata × R. mucronata'')
* ''
Rhizophora × lamarckii''
Montrouz. (''R. apiculata × R. stylosa'')
* ''
Rhizophora × selala
''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'' ...
''
(Salvoza) P.B.Tomlinson (''R. mangle × R. stylosa'')
Formerly placed here
* ''
Aegiceras corniculatum
''Aegiceras corniculatum'', commonly known as black mangrove, river mangrove, goat's horn mangrove, or khalsi, is a species of shrub or tree mangrove in the primrose family, Primulaceae, with a distribution in coastal and estuarine areas ranging ...
''
(L.) Blanco (as ''R. corniculata''
L.)
* ''
Bruguiera gymnorhiza
''Bruguiera gymnorhiza'', the large-leafed orange mangrove or oriental mangrove,) is a mangrove tree that grows usually to 7-20m high, but sometimes up to 35m, that belongs to the family Rhizophoraceae. It is found on the seaward side of mangrov ...
''
(L.) Savigny (as ''R. gymnorhiza''
L.)
* ''
Bruguiera parviflora
''Bruguiera parviflora'' is a tree in the family Rhizophoraceae. The specific epithet ' is from the Latin meaning "small flowers".
Description
''Bruguiera parviflora'' grows up to tall with a trunk diameter of up to . The bark is pale grey to p ...
''
(Roxb.) Wight & Arn. ex Griff. (as ''R. parviflora''
Roxb.)
* ''
Bruguiera sexangula
''Bruguiera sexangula'', commonly called the upriver orange mangrove, is a mangrove shrub or tree usually growing up to 15 m, occasionally 30 m, in height.
Description
''Bruguiera sexangula'' may grow as a single-stemmed tree or multi- ...
''
(Lour.) Poir. (as ''R. sexangula''
Lour.)
* ''
Ceriops tagal''
(Perr.) C.B.Rob. (as ''R. tagal''
Perr.)
See also
*
Changes in global mangrove distributions
Global mangrove distributions have fluctuated throughout human and geological history. The area covered by mangroves is influenced by a complex interaction between land position, rainfall hydrology, sea level, sedimentation, subsidence, storms an ...
*
Ecological values of mangrove
Mangrove ecosystems represent natural capital capable of producing a wide range of goods and services for coastal environments and communities and society as a whole. Some of these outputs, such as timber, are freely exchanged in formal markets. V ...
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q131521
Malpighiales genera
Mangroves