Leaves |
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Pneumatophores |
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If you find
small finger-like projections rising from the soil near a southern
Florida coast, there is a black mangrove tree or forest nearby. These
are called pneumatophores and have lenticels, allowing the roots to
get oxygen. Black mangroves leaves have a gray underside and the bark
is often darker than other mangrove species. Blacks tolerate the highest
salinity of the three Florida mangroves and a crust of salt is often
present on the leaves. These trees can be found a short distance inland
from the shore and scattered throughout saltmarshes. They are intolerant
of freezing temperatures.
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