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Laguncularia racemosa

Accession Count: 0
Common Name: white mangrove
Family Name: Combretaceae
Botanical Name: Laguncularia racemosa
Synonyms:
Botanical Synonyms: Conocarpus racemosa
Sub Species:
Variety:
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Cultivar:
Characteristics: Laguncularia racemosa is an evergreen shrub to medium tree that possesses a low, sprawling form and rounded crown of irregular branches (1, 2). Over time, L. racemosa will form dense thickets, while air roots (pneumatophores) and stilted prop roots may develop if flooding is present (3, 4). The trunk is often crooked or leaning, with narrow, roughened, scaly bark; reddish brown in color with gray ridges (1, 3). Appearing along the branches are the yellowish to dark-green leaves – opposite, simple, and obovate in form, with a leathery or fleshy texture (2, 3). The leaves will be dark green and shiny above, but a lighter green beneath (1). Leaf petioles are distinctively red and stout, bearing two small glands at the base that excrete salt (3, 4). From July to October, a terminal spike will bloom, aggregated into a loose panicle and bearing small, pale-green or white bell-shaped flowers (2, 5). Following will occur the fruit, a ribbed, almond-shaped drupe, reddish-brown in color and bearing a single seed (2, 4, 5). Seeds are reddish, possess a spongy seed coat, and are occasionally viviparous (4, 5, 6).
Compound: Lag rac
Geographic Origin: Tropical America and Africa
Ecozone Origin:
Biome Origin:
Natural History: The white mangrove was named in 1807 by the German botanist Karl Friedrich von Gaertner, who included the species within Supplementum Carpologiae 209 (7). The genus, Laguncularia, and specific epithet, racemosa, derive from the Latin laguncul and racemus, respectively, and refer to the development of the fruits. Laguncul means “little-flask”, for the almond or vase-like shape, while racemus means “cluster”, in reference to the fruits’ clustering growth pattern. It is unknown if the common name “white mangrove” refers to the white flowers or to the white salt deposits that are exuded from the leaves (8).
L. racemosa is a key element of tidal swamps and is found in the coastal regions of tropical West Africa, the Caribbean, northern Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands, northwestern Peru, the west Indies, Bermuda, southern and central Florida, and the eastern and western coasts of tropical America (1, 9, 10). However, it is restricted to the lowland fringe of mangrove vegetations, but occurs further inland than Rhizophora mangle and Avicennia germinans, far above the high tide line (4, 6, 10).
Cultivation Notes: White mangrove is frost tender and hardy to USDA zones 10b to 11 (35-40°F) (11). An annual temperature of 68-86°F is preferred, but 50-100.4°F will be tolerated without frost  (9, 10). Soil conditions should be consistently wet and moderate to rich with organic content, as poor soils may inhibit growth (1). However, a variety of substrates will be tolerated, including silt, clay, sand, peat, and marl; highly saline soils; and a pH of 4.5-7.5, although 5.5-7 is preferred. At the same time, provide full sun to avoid negatively impacting growth (10).
Propagation is possible through seed and softwood cuttings, and L. racemosa is generally easy to reproduce. Cuttings should be taken from shoots that have been allowed to root while still attached to the parent tree, and seed should be sown in fall (1, 11). However, natural planting is usually not necessary, as natural regeneration is very successful, with rooting even occurring after flooding or planting in salt water (2, 9).
Ethnobotany: L. racemosa is very important to the community structure of West African mangrove forests, as a breeding habitat for marine species and as an engineer of semi-aquatic environments (6, 12). The prop roots of the white mangrove protect shorelines during hurricanes and trap debris, filtering aquatic systems and building a rich supply of hummus (6). At the same time, the roots serve as a windbreak and prevent soil erosion, further protecting the habitat of marine fish, crustaceans, and birds (8). However, L. racemosa also provides a variety of cultural, medicinal, and culinary uses, with the fruit occasionally being consumed and the plant used to produce honey (9, 10). The bark has been commonly harvested for tannins and brown dye, and to treat fishing nets for longer preservation (2, 10). At the same time, a gum exudes from the bark when damaged, becoming an inexpensive substitute for in-vitro fungi cultures when combined with agar (10). The wood is heavy, strong, hard, and close-grained, occasionally used for construction but mostly valued for firewood and charcoal (9, 10).
Medicinally, L. racemosa contains antioxidative, antiplasmodial, antidiabetic, antibacterial, and cytotoxic properties, becoming a strong defense against invading parasites (12, 13). As a result, the use of white mangrove leaves in animal feed may be capable of improving reproductive efficiency while also enhancing parasite immunity in both ruminants and non-ruminants (12). In addition, the leaves also possess a high mineral content and have been medicinally valued (9). Finally, the high tannin content of the bark allows extractions to treat fevers, ulcers, dysentery, scurvy, and skin wounds,  while also being capable of preventing tumors (8).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season: Spring
Color: White
Function: Habitat
Spread: Spreading
Allergen: Non-allergenic
Invasive: Benign
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Tender
Water Use: High Water Use
Citations:
  1. Regional Conservation. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  2. PROTA4U. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  3. Virginia Tech Dendrology. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  4. Lazy Naturalist. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  5. Ocean Oasis. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  6. Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  7. Tropicos. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  8. University of Florida. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  9. Purdue University. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  10. Useful Tropical Plants. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  11. Dave’s Garden. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  12. ResearchGate. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
  13. ScienceDirect. Retrieved February 25th, 2021.
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Laguncularia racemosa