Mangroves are beneficial both as a filter between land and sea and as a nursery habitat for a wide range of living things. Mangroves provide shelter in storms to various wading birds such as the flamingos and little blue herons. Sometimes seen by snorkeling, mangroves are usually viewed by kayak, small rowing dingy or even a sailboat dingy. See Those Amazing Mangroves .
Branches often reach down to become roots.
A good instance of the mangrove being used as an ornamental plant is at the Bitter End. Small with a long purple shell, this oyster is found in brackish water in clusters on the prop roots of the red mangrove as well as pilings and rocks. Sought by starfish as well as some birds, the mangrove oyster is also considered a delicacy by humans. Upsidedown Jellyfish . Jellyfish are usually found in open water near the surface, except the Upsidedown Jellyfish which is found in shallow water near mangroves.