List of mangrove tree species of Australia facts for kids

Mangroves are amazing trees and shrubs that live in salty water along coastlines, rivers, and estuaries. They are super special because they can grow where most other plants can't, like in muddy, salty soil that gets covered by the tide. These tough plants have unique ways to deal with salt and low oxygen in the soil. They are like the superheroes of the coast, protecting shorelines from erosion and providing homes for many animals, from fish to birds.

This article will introduce you to some of the different types of mangroves, grouped by their plant families. Think of a family as a group of plants that are closely related, like cousins!

Amazing Mangroves: Trees of the Tides

Mangroves are a diverse group of plants, meaning they come in many different kinds. They are not all from the same plant family, but they all share the ability to live in harsh coastal environments. Scientists group plants into categories like families, genera, and species to help understand their relationships. A family is a big group, a genus is a smaller group within a family, and a species is a specific type of plant.

Meet the Mangrove Families

Let's explore some of the fascinating families of mangroves you might find.

The Acanthus Family: Spiky Beauties

The Acanthaceae family includes some interesting mangroves.

• The Acanthus genus has species like the ebracteatus, also known as the Bractless Holly Mangrove. There are two types: the White-flowered Holly Mangrove and the Purple-flowered Holly Mangrove.
• Another one is the ilicifolius, simply called the Holly Mangrove.

The Grey Mangrove Family: Tough Survivors

The Avicennia genus is part of a larger family, though not explicitly named in the table for this group. These mangroves are very common.

• The integra is known as the Stilted Grey Mangrove.
• The marina is often called the Grey or White Mangrove. It has different varieties, like the Western White Mangrove, the Eastern White/Grey Mangrove, and the Northern Grey Mangrove.
• The officinalis is known as the Round-leafed Grey Mangrove.

The Combretaceae Family: Colorful Blooms

This family includes mangroves with beautiful flowers.

• The Lumnitzera genus features the littorea, which has red flowers and is called the Red-flowered Black Mangrove.
• Then there's the racemosa, known as the White-flowered Black Mangrove.
• You might also find the X rosea, a hybrid with pink flowers, called the Pink-flowered Black Mangrove.

The Rhizophoraceae Family: Prop Roots and More

This is a very important family of mangroves, famous for their unique prop roots that help them stand tall in the mud.

• The Bruguiera genus includes several types:
  • cylindrica is the Large-leafed Orange Mangrove.
  • exaristata is the Rib-fruited Orange Mangrove.
  • gymnorhiza is another Large-leafed Orange Mangrove.
  • parviflora is the Small-leafed Orange Mangrove.
  • There's also a hybrid, X rhynchopetala, called the Hybrid Orange Mangrove.
  • sexangula is the Upriver Orange Mangrove.
  • hainesii is Haines' Orange Mangrove.
• The Ceriops genus has:
  • australis, the Smooth-fruited Yellow Mangrove.
  • pseudodecandra, the Clumped Yellow Mangrove.
  • tagal, the Rib-fruited Yellow Mangrove.
• The Rhizophora genus is famous for its stilt roots.
  • X annamalayana is the Northern Hybrid Stilt Mangrove.
  • apiculata is the Corky Stilt Mangrove.
  • X lamarckii is the Southern Hybrid Stilt Mangrove.
  • mucronata is the Upstream Stilt Mangrove.
  • stylosa is the Long-styled Stilt Mangrove.

The Lythraceae Family: Diverse Habitats

This family includes plants that can grow in different environments, including mangroves.

• The Pemphis genus has acidula, known as the Reef Barrier Mangrove.
• The Sonneratia genus, often called Apple Mangroves, includes:
  • alba, the White-flowered Apple Mangrove.
  • caseolaris, the Red-flowered Apple Mangrove.
  • lanceolata, the Lanceolate-leafed Apple Mangrove.
  • X gulngai is the Gulngai Hybrid Apple Mangrove.
  • ovata is the Ovate-leafed Apple Mangrove.
  • X urama is the Urama Hybrid Apple Mangrove.

Other Interesting Mangrove Families

Many other plant families also have mangrove species.

• The Rubiaceae family includes the Scyphiphora genus, with hydrophylacea, known as the Yamstick Mangrove.
• The Euphorbiaceae family has the Excoecaria genus, with agallocha, famously called the Milky Mangrove or Blind-your-Eye. Be careful, its sap can irritate your eyes! There are two varieties: the Milky Mangrove and the Ovate-leafed Milky Mangrove.
• The Meliaceae family includes the Xylocarpus genus:
  • granatum is the Cannonball Mangrove, named for its round fruits.
  • mollucensis is the Cedar Mangrove.
• The Bignoniaceae family has the Dolichandrone genus, with spathacea, the Trumpet-flowered Mangrove.
• The Myrtaceae family includes the Osbornia genus, with octodonta, the Myrtle Mangrove.
• The Sterculiaceae family has the Heritiera genus, with littoralis, the Looking-glass Mangrove.
• The Ebenaceae family, known for ebony wood, includes the Diospyros genus, with littorea, the Ebony Mangrove.
• The Caesalpiniaceae family has the Cynometra genus, with iripa, the Wrinkle Pod Mangrove.
• The Plumbaginaceae family includes the Aegialitis genus, with annulata, the Club Mangrove.
• The Bombaceae family has the Camptostemon genus, with schultzii, the Kapok Mangrove.
• The Primulaceae family includes the Aegiceras genus, with corniculatum, known as the River Mangrove or Black Mangrove.
• The Lecythidaceae family has the Barringtonia genus, with racemosa, the Brackishwater Mangrove.
• The Arecaceae family, which includes palms, has the Nypa genus, with fruticans, the Mangrove Palm. This is a unique palm that grows in mangrove areas.
• The Pteridacaeae family includes ferns that live in mangrove habitats. The Acrostichum genus has aureum, the Golden Mangrove Fern, and speciosum, the Showy Mangrove Fern.