Flower profile

Black mangrove

Avicennia germinans

Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) is a shrub or small tree in the Acanthaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–August across the U.S.

Native to Florida

Black mangrove is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Florida it's most often seen in bloom in April–August.

4states where USDA records it

4,460FL sightings*

5,908U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Florida

Quick look

Avicennia germinans, the black mangrove, is a shrub or small tree growing up to 12 meters in the acanthus family, Acanthaceae. Fossils of the species are known from the Bermont Formation of the Everglades.
From Wikipedia's article Avicennia germinans, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Acanthaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a tree with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 4 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Florida. ^NatureServe
In Florida, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–August. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as indeterminate. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 30 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 4,460 research-grade sightings of it in Florida, ranking #53 among the 151 flowers on our Florida list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Florida, most flowering sightings come in April–August.

Flowering records by month in Florida (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (120 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Florida: Not listed Not on Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055). NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Florida. ^{FAC 5B-40.0055}
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: MS (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleToxic (slight, per USDA)

USDA PLANTS rates its toxicity as “slight.” (USDA's rating covers people and livestock and doesn't say which parts.) NC State Extension has no page for it. ^{USDA PLANTS}

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records black mangrove in 4 states.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas.

Florida counties with USDA records: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Flagler, Franklin, Hernando, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Taylor, Volusia.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Black mangrove a high shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 8.0 and winter lows down to 10 °F.

Shade tolerance: High
Drought tolerance: Low
Moisture use: High
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 6.0 to 8.0
Minimum temperature tolerated: 10 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 328
Annual precipitation range: 34 to 81 inches
Minimum root depth: 24 inches
Salinity tolerance: Medium
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Long
Active growth period: Year Round
Fruit or seed: Green · Year Round to Year Round
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, seed
Commercial availability: Routinely Available

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for AVGE. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Lower 48 states: Native; Puerto Rico: Native; U.S. Virgin Islands: Native.

Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Avicennia nitida.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 35 counties across 4 states; the most are in Florida (22), Texas (7), Louisiana (5).

More from the Acanthaceae family (12 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Carolina ruellia, American water-willow, Hairy ruellia, Mexican ruellia, Common wild petunia, Chuparosa, Chinese violet, Thurber's desert honeysuckle.

More Florida flowers

Carolina ruellia

Ruellia caroliniensis

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Mexican ruellia

Ruellia simplex

🌼 Blooms in FL: July–November

White beggarticks

Bidens alba

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🌼 Blooms in FL: January–March

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile AVGE.
iNaturalist, Avicennia germinans: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Avicennia germinans (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Florida: Florida Regulated Plant Index (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-40.0055).
Florida: Florida Noxious Weed List (Fla. Admin. Code 5B-57.007).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Avicennia germinans (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: USDA PLANTS.
Photo: er-birds via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.