Rhizophora (mangle)
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Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net |
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| Family Scientific Name: | Rhizophoraceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Mangrove | ||
| Scientific Name: | Rhizophora mangle L. samoensis Hochr. | ||
| Common Synonym: | Rhizophora samoensis | ||
| Common Name: | mangrove, red mangrove; red mangrove; togo (Samoa; Tuvalu); tongo; tongolei (Tonga); te tongo (Kiribati) | ||
| Ecotype: | Intertidal zones and muddy seashores. Coastal only. | ||
| General Distribution: | Believed native to Pacific Islands from New Caledonia to American Samoa, including Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and the Gilbert Islands in Micronesia. There is debate whether the Pacific Island species is distinct from populations native to both coasts of the Americas from central Florida through the West Indies and from Mexico to northern Peru, and also the coast of West Africa. Within its native range, it is a key species for coastal ecosystems. | ||
| Known Invasiveness: | Introduced in Hawaii, French Polynesia, and elsewhere outside it's native range, it is a highly problematic invasive. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 0 | ||
| Target Specifications: | Seedlings have reached target when approximately 30-60 cm in height. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Propagules may be collected any time of year. The propagule of the mangrove is not a seed, but a viviparous seedling. The seeds germinate on the parent plant, and are typically dropped 8-12 months after fertilization. The propagules are rod-shaped, 8-35 cm long. Larger propagules are thought to grow better. They can be collected from the ground or water surfaces around the trees. Desirable qualities are green (not brown) color on top, lower portion brown, free from roots, damage, insect infestations (usually of borers) or discoloration. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Propagules may be sown directly into tubes or small pots.The pots are usually kept half-filled with water to acclimate seedlings to the outplanting conditions. Germination is around 90%. If necessary, propagules may also be stored for 1-2 months if kept in open containers with a small amount of water and high humidity. (In nature, propagules may be carried on water for about a year and remain viable.) | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | No pretreatment is necessary, although soaking propagules for 2 weeks until rood buds develop is a practice for some nurseries. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Seedlings can be grown in an uncovered growing area. They prefer sunlight and do not grow well in deep shade. Plastic tubes or pots are partially filled with non-saline river sand or with potting media, and submerged half-way or less in plastic-lined pond beds irrigated with brackish or saline water (0.4% salts or less). Fresh water may also be used, although in such cases an occasional dose of saline water will help seedlings acclimate to outplanting conditions and is also thought to reduce disease problems. | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | When seedlings have reached target size of 30-60 cm in height, they may be delivered to the planting site. Seedlings that were not propagated in brackish water are best planted at the onset of rainy periods, which can reduce the shock of saline conditions and improve the seedling's rate of survival. | ||
| References: |
Allen, J.A. 2002. Rhizophora mangle. In: Vozzo, J.A., ed. 2002. Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. Clarke, W.C. and R.R. Thaman. Agroforestry in the Pacific Islands: Systems for Sustainability. United Nations University Press, New York. Jimenez, J.A. 1999. Rhizophora mangle. Institute of Tropical Forestry, Rio Piedras, PR. Kaly, U.L. and G.P. Jones. 2003. Mangrove restoration: a potential tool for ecosystem management of coastal fisheries. Department of Marine Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Queensland, Australia. Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. |
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Citation:
Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Rhizophora mangle L. plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/01/31). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
