A red mangrove tree, Rhizophora mangle, growing in Laguna de Tacarigua in the swampy costal waters of the Caribbean off Venezuela. From the stem and branches of the mangrove an intricate mass of prop roots grow down into the water, among which silt and debris accumulates. As a result, the mangrove causes a gradual build up of land, which at first is black, slimy mud and later develops into low costal land. As well as its land- forming function, the bark of the mangrove is used in charcoal making. The bark also contains tannin which is used for tanning hides.

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