Woody plant community occurring along low wave-energy coastal shorelines. Mangrove swamps are dominated by three species: black, red and white mangroves. Red mangroves typically occupy the waterward fringe with black mangroves further inland but usually covered by water at high tide, and white mangroves landward of the black mangroves. Buttonwood trees are often found in this community just above the reach of salt water. Herbaceous plants commonly found among the mangroves include a number of coastal marsh species.
A dense jungle of mangrove trees which have the special adaptation of extending from their branches long arching roots which act as anchors and form an almost impenetrable tangle. They occur in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly near the mouths of rivers.