Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Mangroves - Trees of the Sea

Photographed by Sandra Hughes, October 16, 2015

1. Mangroves - Trees of the Sea Marker

Inscription. Mangroves are tropical trees that grow along the coastline in mixed salt and freshwater, or estuarine environments. They live in wet soil, are highly salt tolerant and flourish in areas periodically submerged by tides. Florida is home to three species of mangroves red, black, and white. Manatee Park is home to red and white mangroves. Coastline development, exotic plant invasion and poor water quality threaten Florida’s mangrove populations. As a result, mangroves are protected by state law.

Red Mangrove
• Arching aerial roots called “prop roots” and “drop roots”
• Leaves are elliptical and glossy with dull underside
• Pencil-shaped propagule

White Mangrove
• Leaves are rounded with notched tips
• Raisin-shaped propagule
• First to colonize a site disturbed by storms or hurricane

Black Mangrove
• Pencil-shaped aerial roots (Pneumatophores)
• Tear-shaped propagules
• Shiny upper leaf, gray under leaf

Role of Mangroves
Mangroves contribute to the health of Florida’s southern coast by providing habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates and fish such as snook

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and tarpon. Their decomposing leaves are a major source of food for estuarine animals. Mangroves also protect coastlines from severe weather, reduce suspended sediment in nearby sea grass habitats, trap pollutants and recycle nutrients to help improve water quality.

Mangrove Reproduction
Mangroves do not have true seeds. Young mangroves, called propagules, develop while still attached to the trees. Propagules eventually fall from the tree and are dispersed with the help of tides. Propagules can remain viable and ready to sprout as the float out in the water for up to one year.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry.

Location. 26° 41.59′ N, 81° 46.666′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is on Palm Beach Boulevard. Marker is located inside park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10901 Palm Beach Blvd, Fort Myers FL 33905, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on

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the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Tracking Manatees (here, next to this marker); Relatives and Relationships (here, next to this marker); Manatee Young (here, next to this marker); Pine Flatwoods Habitat (here, next to this marker); Scrub Oak Habitat (here, next to this marker); Responsible Fishing (here, next to this marker); Boating with Wildlife (here, next to this marker); Munching Manatees (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 310 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2017, by Byron Hooks of Sandy Springs, Georgia. Photo 1. submitted on August 7, 2017, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.