Button Mangrove - a Pioneer Species

The Button Mangrove is a pioneer species that is native to Bermuda, Southern Florida, the Bahamas, the West Indies, both coasts of Mexico, Central and South America and the Galapagos Islands. It grows along beaches and just landward. The soils are sandy and clayey with clacium and remnants of shells. The species is usually a shrub 1.5 - 4m in height but can become a tree up to 20 meters or more. It is an abundant seed producer. It has greenish-white flowers that look like buttons. The Button Mangrove does not like shade. It will not grow under the canopy of taller trees. It may live for several decades. It provides food and cover for wildlife such as crabs and insects. It protects the soil during storm surges. Information from: http://www.fs.fed.us/global/iitf/pdf/shrubs/Conocarpus%20erectus.pdf