''Rhizophora'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of tropical mangrove trees, sometimes collectively called true mangroves. The most notable species is the red mangrove (''

Rhizophora mangle ''Rhizophora mangle'', the red mangrove, is distributed in Estuary, estuarine ecosystems throughout the tropics. Its Vivipary, viviparous "seeds", in actuality called propagules, become fully mature plants before dropping off the parent tree. Th ...

'') 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 Rhizophora apiculata (''R. apiculata'') belongs to the Plantae kingdom under the Rhizophoraceae family. Currently ''R. apiculata'' is distributed throughout Australia (Queensland and Northern Territory), Guam, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micrones ...

''. This beetle (related to carver beetles) lays its eggs in the hypocotyls. When they hatch, the larvae dig tunnels through the

hypocotyl The hypocotyl (short for "hypocotyledonous stem", meaning "below seed leaf") is the stem of a germinating seedling, found below the cotyledons (seed leaves) and above the radicle (root). Eudicots As the plant embryo grows at germination, it send ...

, distorting its shape, When the beetle pupates it leaves the plant, but the

will no longer be able to develop normally. The red mangrove is the state tree of Delta Amacuro in

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

; a dark brown dye can be produced from it, which is used in

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

n ngatu cloth production.

Species

Hybrids

* '' Rhizophora × annamalayana'' Kathiresan (''R. apiculata × R. mucronata'') * '' Rhizophora × lamarckii'' Montrouz. (''R. apiculata × R. stylosa'') * '' Rhizophora × selala'' (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.)

References

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q131521 Malpighiales genera Mangroves

Species

Hybrids

Formerly placed here

See also

References

External links