Mangle on Stilts
by W Chris Fooshee
Title
Mangle on Stilts
Artist
W Chris Fooshee
Medium
Photograph
Description
A small Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) plant grows in a subtropical lagoon in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Red Mangrove grows in coastal tidal areas throughout the tropics and subtropics of America and Africa. The plants are salt tolerant and can also grow in brackish or fresh water.
Red Mangrove grows inland from the beach, but where it can be reached by high tides. It is found all along the southern coasts of Florida. Freezing temperatures prevent the range from extending northward.
Red mangroves can be identified by the numerous prop roots allowing them to make their own soil in open water by trapping debris in their aerial roots, attracting, small birds and fish to gather among the thicket of roots and branches. Many animals spend part of their lives, or their entire lifetimes, in mangrove communities.
Uploaded
January 13th, 2023
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