Rhizophoraceae

Taxobox
name = Rhizophoraceae

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image_width = frameless
image_caption = Young "Rhizophora mangle", a mangrove
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Rhizophoraceae
familia_authority = R.Br. in Flinders
subdivision_ranks = Genera
subdivision =
*"Anopyxis"
*"Blepharistemma"
*"Bruguiera"
*"Carallia"
*"Cassipourea"
*"Ceriops"
*"Comiphyton"
*"Crossostylis"
*"Dactylopetalum"
*"Gynotroches"
*"Kandelia"
*"Macarisia"
*"Paradrypetes"
*"Pellacalyx"
*"Rhizophora"
*"Sterigmapetalum"

Rhizophoraceae is a family constituted by tropical or subtropical flowering plants. Among the better known members are mangrove trees of the genus "Rhizophora". There are around 120 species distributed in sixteen genera, most native to the Old World.

These are woody plants with opposite or whorled leaves (but not decussate), with insect-pollinated flowers having a nectary disc and typically five petals. This family is now placed in the order Malpighiales, though under the Cronquist system they formed an order in themselves (Rhizophorales).

These species are often hermaphrodite, more rarely polygamomonoecious. Mangrove species are usually viviparous while those living on land are not.

Uses

Some species produce wood used for underwater construction or piling. Tannins are obtained from the tree's bark.