Grey Mangrove

Avicennia marina subsp. australasica - known locally as Manawa - is the only species of mangrove shrub/tree growing in New Zealand betwee...Read Moren 34 and 38 degrees, and is the most southern growing mangrove species in the world. This particular species or very similar, has apparently been growing in the intertidal zones of estuaries here for around 19 million years. Mangroves play an important role in erosion control and shoreline protection by slowing the flow of water and blocking waves. Their organic matter provides nutrients for many organisms, and supports a wide range of marine animals such as crabs, worms, mud snails, whelks, barnicles, shellfish, insects and spiders. They are an important nursery for the habitat of small fish, and many birds make use of mangroves for roosting, feeding and breeding. They are very hardy - growing in windy, tidal, saline and stinky mud conditions of which very few plants could exist.