Hurricane destruction of the best forests decreased honey production. In recent years there has been renewed interest in this product. White mangroves range from Volusia County and Levy County southward. They are easily differentiated from other mangroves by succulent leaves which are rounded at the base and tip and smooth underneath. Two glands at the base of each leaf excrete sugar and are called nectaries.
Some insects feed on the sugar.
The fruit is small, dry, leathery and ribbed. It contains a dark red seed, and is buoyant allowing it to float to new growing sites. Most plants have neither. It is fast growing in fertile habitats. Its flowers are greenish-white and produce good honey.