Red Mangrove Propagule
Rhizophora mangle
Markings and exact colorations may vary.
A long green-brown pencil-shaped seedling that floats upright and can root wherever it lands.
- Typical size
- 6–12 in
- How often it turns up
- Very common in the south
- Collecting
- Restricted
- Handling
- Safe to handle
Mangroves are protected in Florida. Collecting drift propagules is generally fine, but never cut or damage mangrove trees.
How to tell it apart
- Long, slender, cigar or pencil shape
- Green when fresh, browning with age
- Slightly swollen at one end
Found one?
Photograph it and BeachNut ranks the likely matches with a confidence read, then logs it to your collection with the beach and date.
Browsing beaches and the full field guide is free. A free account logs unlimited finds and gives you three photo identifications a day.
Commonly confused with
Black Mangrove PropaguleAvicennia germinans
Black mangrove is a flat lima-bean shape; red mangrove is a long pencil-shaped seedling.
More sea beans in the field guide
Get the weekend beach score by email
Before each weekend: which Florida beaches score best for finds. No spam, unsubscribe any time.