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Black Mangrove: Avicennia spp. Avicenniaceae (Verbenaceae) |
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Black Mangrove: Avicennia spp. Avicenniaceae (Verbenaceae) |
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The genus Avicennia contains about 15 species which grow along tropical and subtropical shores. It is commonly included with the family Verbenaceae. The genus Avicennia was dedicated in honor of Abu Sina, Latinized as Avicennia (980–1036 AD), of Bokhara, Arab physician and philosopher.
Avicennia alba baen
Avicennia germinans black mangrove, black-tree, blackwood, honey mangrove,
mangle blanco, saltbush
Avicennia marina blackwood, mangle nero, mangle prieto, manglecito, parwa
Distribution: This genus grows in pure, dense stands on mud flats along the coast and estuaries, in brackish coastal swamps, and on river banks along lower brackish parts.
The Tree: The tree sometimes reaches a height of 75 ft (23 m), although normally only 25 ft (8 m), with a 2-ft (0.6-m) diameter. Towards the northern end of its limit (Dog Island, Florida) it is shrubby. Black mangroves have long heavy roots which grow extensions (pneumatophores) that aid in gas exchange and coincidentally trap silt to extend the shoreline. Seeds mature and germinate on the tree and then fall to the mud.
General Wood Characteristics: The sapwood of mangrove is wide, yellow–gray to brown–yellow. The heartwood is dark yellow–brown to very dark brown with an oily appearance. The luster is low and the wood has no distinct odor or taste. The grain is irregular and interlocked, and the texture is coarse and uneven. The wood may contain a yellow powdery substance called lapachol. The bole is 20 to 40 ft (6 to 12 m) long and unbutressed, but it is swollen due to numerous pneumatophores (aerial roots). The woods of all species are practically identical, with concentric, anastomosing layers of secondary phloem (bast).
Weighta |
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Moisture content |
Specific gravity |
Weight |
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lb/ft3 |
kg/m3 |
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Green 12% Ovendry |
0.83 |
74 |
1,185 929 NA |
aReference (59). |
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Mechanical propertiesa
Property |
Green |
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Dry |
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MOE |
1.55 × 106 lbf/in2 |
10.687 GPa |
2.09 × 106 lbf/in2 |
14.411 GPA |
MOR |
11.1 × 103 lbf/in2 |
76.535 MPa |
16.4 × 103 lbf/in2 |
113.078 MPa |
C| | |
4.94 × 103 lbf/in2 |
34.061 MPa |
8.34 × 103 lbf/in2 |
57.504 MPa |
C ⊥ |
1.87 × 103 lbf/in2 |
12.894 MPa |
2.36 × 103 lbf/in2 |
16.272 MPa |
WML |
12.3 in-lbf/in3 |
84.809 kJ/m3 |
17.9 in-lbf/in3 |
123.421 kJ/m3 |
Hardness |
1,700 lbf |
7,561.60 N |
NA |
NA |
Shear| | |
1.37 × 103 lbf/in2 |
9.446 MPa |
NA |
NA MPa |
aReference (59). |
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Drying and shrinkagea
Percentage of shrinkage
(green to final moisture content)b
Type of shrinkage 0% MC 6% MC 20% MC
Tangential 9.7 NA NA
Radial 6.2 NA NA
Volumetric 15.6 NA NA
aThe wood air-dries well; kiln drying requires a slow schedule to prevent warping.
bReference (59).
Working Properties: The wood saws well, but it is not easy to work with because of the interlocked grain. It glues well, but nail holes must be prebored to prevent splitting.
Durability: Very susceptible to termite and marine borer attack. Resistance to impregnation variable.
Preservation: No information available at this time.
Uses: Used in the round (poles and posts for netting), underground foundations (pilings), pulp (soda process), fuel, charcoal, tannin from bark.
Toxicity: No information available at this time. Additional Reading: 4, 14, 29, 45, 55, 68, 74, 80, 101.
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