Rhizphora mangle is in the family Rhizophoraceae. Commonly known as the red mangrove, it is distributed throughout the many tropical areas around the world. The red mangrove is one of a few species that are the foundation of mangrove ecosystems. This species colonizes estuaries with brackish waters and creates dense thickets along the shoreline. The red mangrove produces long prop roots which keep the plant anchored in sandy soils; this is especially useful during hurricane and typhoon seasons when strong winds can uproot other plants. Aside from providing stability, the red mangroves prop roots provide valuable surface area for gas exchange which keep the roots healthy in the oxygen poor sediment it inhabits. These dense thickets also provide cover and habitat for many different species of fish, reptiles, and birds. The red mangrove also exhibits an interesting life cycle adaptation. The seeds develop into new plants while still attached to the tree, a process known as vivipary. These primordial plants, known as propagules, detach from the tree and can float through rivers and streams for over a year before taking root and developing into a full-blown tree.
