We’re blessed to have a mangrove tree near our lake. Actually, it’s in the lake–the tree looks like it tiptoed into the shallows and settled down. The mangrove has a unique reproductive strategy: generating live young! Instead of dormant seeds, little shoots spring forth and then, at the appropriate time, a new tree emerges from the water and starts to grow independently.

Mangroves are vital to the Florida ecosystem and provide an important habitat for numerous species of fish, shrimp, and clams. Colorful birds such as the brown pelican, roseate spoonbill, snowy egret, great blue heron, green heron and the brown noddy use the mangrove as roosts and rookeries. Snakes, crocodiles, sea turtles, iguanas, falcons,  deer, and manatees also depend on the mangrove, along with exotic spiders, sponges, corals, anemones, starfish, mussels, and crabs.

All in all, an amazing tree that more than does its part in helping everything around it survive. 

Folks in Florida work hard to ensure the precious mangrove is protected from its greatest foe–the ultimate irony is that its primary enemy, “man”, is actually part of its name.