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Plant Species for Soil & Wildlife Conservation Purposes Associated to Saline
Coastal Tidal Flats
Updated
November 19, 2008
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| Pneumatophores (specialized roots) in black
mangrove, Avicennia germinans. |
Sporobolus pyramidatus, Madagascar
dropseed, salt grass. |
Saline coastal tidal flats rely on the borders of saline-water bodies
whose water level fluctuates, and their salinity range is influenced by
several factors such as: frequency of inundation, rainfall, and
vegetation among others. Tidal flats as well as mangrove swamps form an
important interface between terrestrial and marine habitats. Saline
tidal flat thriving plants can provide protection against soil erosion,
shelter, or fodder to certain wildlife species. These plants possess
physiological and/or morphological adaptations such as: salt secretory
glands to excrete salts as in the case of the genus Chloris and Spartina,
large pores or air spaces in roots and stems to transfer oxygen from the
aerial parts to the roots, waxes, and specialized roots as the
pneumatophores present in the black mangrove.
These plant species can be used in reforestation and enhancement of
these fragile ecosystems.
Forbs:
| Technical name |
Common names (English/Spanish) |
| Bacopa monnieri
|
Coastal water-hyssop or
yerba de culebra |
| Batis maritima
|
Turtleweed, saltwort or
barilla |
| Heliotropium
curassavicum |
Salt heliotrope or
cotorrera de playa |
| Sesuvium maritimum
|
Slender seapurslane or
verdologa de mar |
| Sesuvium portulacastrum
|
Shoreline seapurslane
or verdolaga rosada |
Grasses:
|
Technical name |
Common names |
| Paspalum vaginatum
|
Seashore paspalum or
corredora |
| Spartina patens
|
Spartina or yerba de
sal |
| Sporobolus pyramidatus
|
Madagascar dropseed/salt
grass or yerba de sal |
| Sporobolus virginicus
|
Seashore rush grass or
matojo de playa |
Shrubs/Trees:
|
Technical name |
Common names |
| Avicenia germinans
|
Black mangrove or mangle negro |
| Bontia daphnoides
|
White alling or manzanilla, mangle bobo
|
| Conocarpus erectus
|
Button mangrove or mangle botón |
| Ernodea littoralis
|
Cough bush |
| Erithalis fruticosa
|
Jayabico |
| Ginoria rohrii
|
Bastard gregre or rosa de ciénaga |
| Hippomane mancinella
|
Manchineel or manzanillo |
| Laguncularia racemosa
|
White mangrove or mangle blanco |
| Rhizophora mangle
|
Red mangrove or mangle rojo |
| Stahlia monosperma
|
Cobana negra |
Vines
| Technical name |
Common names |
| Canavalia maritima
|
Seaside bean or habichuela de playa |
| Rhabdadenia biflora
|
Mangrove vine or enredadera de mangle |
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|
Sesuvium
portulacastrum (seashore paspalum) |
Batis maritima
(turtleweed, saltwort) |
References
- Commonwealth Department of Natural and Environmental
Resources (PR) et. al. 2001. Guide to Identify Wetlands Plants in the
Caribbean Area: Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Univ. of Puerto
Rico Press. San Juan, PR.
- Más, E. & García-Molinari, O. 2006. Guía Ilustrada de
Yerbas Comunes en Puerto Rico. Univ. de Puerto Rico Mayagüez & USDA
Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales, Área del Caribe.
- Proctor G. R. 1994. Vieques Mangrove Forest Manual. PR
Dept of Natural and Environmental Resources.
- Silvestri, S. & Marani, M. 2004. Salt-marsh Vegetation
and Morphology: Basic Physiology, Modeling and Remote Sensing
Observations. IN: Ecogeomorphology of Tidal Marshes. Eds.: S. Fagherazi,
L. Blum, & M. Marani. American Geophysical Union. Coastal and Estuarine
Monograph Series.
For more information, contact Edwin Más at 787-766-5206.
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