Black Mangroves Mini Report Genus: AvicenniaSpecies: germinans
Avicennia germinans, Linnaeus, 1764 (Lamiales, Verbenacae) is
known by different names, salt bush and honey mangrove for
example, but the most commonly used title is the black mangrove.
Until as late as the 1960’s this species was considered of too
low productivity to be an essential part of the environment in
which it grows. Because of this belief, no efforts were made to
stem the harvesting of A. germinans for various purposes.
Tanners saw the species as a source of tannin, which is present
in its dark-colored bark, from which the name ‘black mangrove’
arose. Some used its wood for shipbuilding because of its
tendency to resist termite attacks. Still others would gather
its nectar when it bloomed to make honey. A. germinans
populations were drastically reduced, however efforts to
reinstate them have been made more recently after the mangrove’s
part in the ecology of estuaries was discovered. (Rogers, 1905)
Avicennia germinans is found in tropica