The tree is compressing the distribution of a poorly-adapted swamp tree to wetter areas. Species characteristics Life form, size, lifespan Evergreen tree to 20-25 m tall. Taxonomy, variation and plasticity M. quinquenervia is one of a group of several closely related species. It has frequently been confused with M. viridiflora and intermediates between the two have been reported. The tree reaches sexual maturity within two years.
Spikes bear white malodorous flowers with large stamens.
The flowers produce large quantities of pollen and nectar and are pollinated by bees. Seeds have no special buoyancy structures and are usually poorly dispersed but in hurricane winds seeds can spread up to 7 km. Seeds may be retained in the seed capsule for several years, with up to 20 million seeds stored per tree. They are generally released when flow of moisture from the tree to the capsule is interrupted by the death of the branch usually as a result of fire or frost. However, some continuous seedfall has been observed with seasonal peaks.