black mangrove Verbenaceae Avicennia germinans (L.) L.   symbol: AVGE
	Leaf: Opposite, simple, evergreen, leathery, elliptical to obovate, 2 to 5 inches long, dark green above, silvery hairy below, may have salt deposits on their upper surfaces due to salt excretion. Flower: White, 4 petaled flowers, occurring in cone-shaped clusters, 1 to 2 inches long near branch tips. Fruit: Egg-shaped capsule 1 to 2 inches long, containing one lima bean-shaped seed. Twig: Stout, slightly angled, finely hairy, and initially green but turning grayish brown. Bark: Dark gray and finely scaly. Form: Bushy tree (50 feet tall) that forms dense thickets, trunk divides close to the ground, numerous finger like roots (pneumatophores) occur around the base of the tree.
	USDA Plants Database Avicennia germinans is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting black mangrove (opens a new window).