Hydrophitic trees found in brackish (mixed) waters such as estuaries, tropic/sub-tropic climates.

 In order to survive the salinity of their environments, red mangroves filter out the salt by forcing large quantities into specialized leaves called “sacrificial leaves.” Sacrificial leaves, when saturated with salt, will turn a yellow color just before falling off. Red Mangroves also have unique propagules, seed pods, which have the appearance of elongated leathery string beans but contain a complete small tree with roots and leaves included. These pods are embryonic root structures that drop from red mangrove branches and can remain floating in marine environments for up to a year before attaching to sediment and establishing a new red mangrove tree. The red mangrove, along with all mangrove species, have specialized pneumantophores which are aerial roots that enable the plants to facilitate root respiration and aeration in aquatic environments. The red mangrove is easily distinguished from black and white mangroves by its red colored “walking roots”. The combination of red mangrove's walking root system, and unique method of reproduction and distribution, and sacrificial leaves allow for red mangroves to flourish in environments like the Indian River Lagoon.

Recognized on teh IUCN Red List of Endangered Species as Threatened. 

Red mangroves are threatened due to loss of habitat from increasing development. Red mangroves are protected in the state of Florida which means it is a crime to tamper with or destroy any trees. Development in a mangrove forest is illegal.