This is an ecologically important tree, being part of the mangroves along the coast of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Central America....Read More It was considered part of the Tea Plant family for over than a century, and, as the leaves of this species contain tanins and other substances found in tea, it properly recieved the popular name "Tea Mangrove".
It is a tree that may live on constantly wet mangrove lands or just near it, always in high moisture, though. It has shiny green leaves. The flowers are big, coming one by one from the leaf axils. It has a pair of long red bracts, protecting a large star shaped, white, fragrant flower, with long erect stamens. The fruit is brown and woody.
This is also an endangered species, as the mangroves are subject from the polution of the rivers and the sea.
This is an ecologically important tree, being part of the mangroves along the coast of Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Central America....Read More