All along the Florida Keys, you will see bushes between the ocean and the shore, and covering all the islands that surround us. These “bushes” are called mangroves. There are three types of mangroves in the Florida Keys: Red, White, and Black.
Property owners in the Florida Keys, particularly waterfront property owners, have a love/hate relationship with the mangroves. They seem to be more protected by the EPA than a mamma bear protects her cubs but they also protect our beautiful shoreline, water quality and fish.
These mangroves are important. Not only to the ocean and sea creatures, but to us humans as well.
These Mangroves not only are a habitat/safe haven for small sea life and crustaceans, but their roots lock in sand and help form land to create islands. They don’t only protect the small sea life though. Many other animals call the mangroves their home like birds and alligators. Mangroves are important to us because like all other trees, they produce oxygen. They also act as a buffer during intense storms reducing wave action, preventing erosion, and absorbing floodwaters.
How can I tell the difference between the mangroves?
Here are some rhymes that will help you spot and identify them:
“Red, red, pointy head.” If you take a close look at the leaves on red mangroves, you will notice that the tip of the leaf points, instead of rounding. Also, you can find small, yellow flowers blossoming on the red mangroves.
“Black, black, salty back.” I don’t recommended licking all the leaves you see to find a black mangrove. But if you flip the leaf over you will find salt crystals covering the back of them. Another way to identify them is if you look down at the roots, you will notice that they stick up like straws coming out of the water and sand. Black mangroves mostly are found inland because if their roots are submerged for too long, the plant cannot get oxygen and the tree dies.
“White, white, bolts on tight.” At the base of each leaf you will find two bumps called “nectaries”. An easy way to remember that the white mangroves have these bumps is to compare them to Frankenstein. Just like the white mangroves, Frankenstein has to bumps/bolts on his neck, or the “base of his head”. Another way to distinguish the white mangrove from the others is they produce a very small fruit with a sapling inside. It looks similar to a prune.
If you own an open water home the mangroves can impede your view. If you own a canal house the mangroves can hinder your dock and limit its size. I get it. After all, I'm a Realtor and sell waterfront real estate to people who want boats and docks. I know you're tempted to cut the mangroves down at night. I get that too. I have wanted to cut many mangroves myself. If I have a listing with no or very few mangroves I will put that right in the MLS information for the house. But, remember, the mangroves also play a huge factor in keeping the Florida Keys beautiful and our waters clean.
Gary
Gary McAdams, PA
