The all important Mangrove

Mangroves help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems

Mangroves help prevent erosion by stabilizing sediments with their tangled root systems

Mangroves protect shorelines from storm and hurricane winds, waves and floods and also serve as valuable nurseries for fish and conch. The shallow waters surrounding the pheumatophores or aerial roots provide a sanctuary and food for juvenile fish, turtles, lobster and other marine species.  They thrive in salty conditions and their coverage of coastal shorelines and wetlands provides many species of birds, crustacea and fish with a unique habitat.

Mangroves are important breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals.

Mangroves are important breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals.

Mangroves found in the Turks and Caicos include the Red Mangrove, Black Mangrove, White Mangrove and Button Mangrove. The trees generally grove between 6 and 12 feet but in sheltered coastal areas the Red Mangrove can be found growing as high as 32 feet.

Mangrove roots extending out under the water

Mangrove roots extending out under the water

Mangroves can grow densley providing shelter and nurseries for bonefish

Mangroves can grow densley providing shelter and nurseries for bonefish

Mangroves have a seed capsule that is a self contained pre germinated plant. It matures on the tree and then drops into the water. They can float quite a ways before finding a spot to plant themselves

Mangroves have a seed capsule that is a self contained pre germinated plant. It matures on the tree and then drops into the water. They can float quite a ways before finding a spot to plant themselves

Mangrove flowers

Mangrove flowers

 The bark of the mangrove tree has been used to make tea for stomach ailments such as ulcers and diarrhoea. The flowers and fruit feed birds and other wild life.

The pheumatophores help to stabilize the sediment and protect coastal areas from erosion

The pheumatophores help to stabilize the sediment and protect coastal areas from erosion

Protect our mangroves here in the Turks and Caicos Islands
Marta

Wild Flowers

Flowering Broom Bush with it's delicate white flowers

Flowering Broom Bush with it's delicate white flowers

On a recent tour of Cheshire Hall on Providenciales, I snapped a photo of this lovely plant. The Broom Bush looks a little like dried twigs but once it gets some rain, it takes on a green tinge and then flowers.  It is endemic to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Endemic means that this species is limited to a geographic area and not found anywhere else.

The Broom Bush thrives in open and rocky areas such as Sapodilla Hill where I found the above growing

The Broom Bush thrives in open and rocky areas such as Sapodilla Hill where I found the above growing

The Turks and Caicos Islands contain a number of endemic species. Look out for our many wild flowers and plants as you wander and visit our beautiful islands.

Marta

 

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