Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Scientific Name: Rhizophora mangle
Native Home: Tropical coastal regions of the Americas, the Caribbean, and western Africa.
Height: Typically 10–30 ft (3–10 m), sometimes taller.
Lifespan: Several decades or longer under suitable conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Coastal Protection: Its tangled prop roots reduce shoreline erosion and help trap sediments.
Wood: Traditionally used for fuelwood, charcoal, and some construction purposes.
Harvesting Method: Bark has traditionally been collected for tannins; wood harvesting should be managed to protect mangrove habitats.
Age to Harvest: Bark and wood collection depend on tree maturity and local conservation rules.
Products: Tannins, charcoal, fuelwood, and coastal restoration plants.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Bark was used to produce tannins for leather tanning and dyeing.
Global Spread: Grows naturally along tropical shorelines and is planted in mangrove restoration projects. Mangroves are important habitats for fish, crabs, birds, and other wildlife.
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