XVI International Botanical Congess

Mangroves are being destroyed all over the world and restoration programs are fundamental for their survival. Knowledgement of mangrove's species phenology is a basic one for those programs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the phenology of the three typical species during a two year period. The results show that the trees have many flowering during the year, but the most successful one is that of summer. The black mangrove has the biggest flowering and its fruits reach a mean size of 3,2 x 2,0cm in three months and then separate from the mother-tree. The red mangrove fruits reach a mean size of 30 cm x 1,0cm during one year and then fall to the ground. The fruits of the white mangrove are smaller and abundant reaching a mean size of 1,5 x 0,7cm in four months. The fruits are very attacked by insects and fungi and affect seriously their life cycle. The results permit to determine the best period of collecting seeds and propagules which determines the success of restoration of degraded areas.