Mangroves are tropical trees that grow along coastlines in mixed salt and freshwater, or estuarine environments, living in wet soil, tolerating salt, and flourishing where tides periodically submerge them. Florida has three species—red, black, and white—and Manatee Park has red and white mangroves. Coastline development, exotic plant invasion, and poor water quality threaten Florida’s mangrove populations, which are protected by state law. Red mangroves have arching aerial prop roots and drop roots, elliptical glossy leaves with dull undersides, and pencil-shaped propagules. White mangroves have rounded leaves with notched tips, raisin-shaped propagules, and are the first to colonize sites disturbed by storms or hurricane. Black mangroves have pencil-shaped aerial roots called pneumatophores, tear-shaped propagules, and leaves that are shiny above and gray below. Mangroves support the health of Florida’s southern coast by providing habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish such as snook and tarpon, while their decomposing leaves are a major food source for estuarine animals. They also protect coastlines from severe weather, reduce suspended sediment in nearby sea grass habitats, trap pollutants, recycle nutrients, and help improve water quality. Mangroves do not have true seeds; instead, young mangroves called propagules develop while still attached to the trees, then fall and are dispersed by tides, remaining viable and ready to sprout while floating in the water for up to one year.