The seeds are long cigarshaped and develop while hanging form the tree. This is an adaption for seedling success where shallow anaerobic water and sediments would inhibit growth. The seeds eventually drop into the water and with time will righten to a vertical position and develop roots if the water is shallow enough. The value of floating seedlings for mangrove dispersion is quite obvious. White mangroves are classified as either a tree or a shrub and reach 15 m in height.
Salinity control is achieved through two salt glands on each leaf.
Located at the base of the leaf they look like two small nodules on the leaf stalk. The white mangrove also has the erect breather roots, but these are fewer, wider, and more often branched than in that species. The optimum climate is where the annual temperature is above 19 C with fluctuations less than 10 C. Salt water is not necessary for growth as they were observed to utilize either fresh or salt water. Though they fare better in salt water environments due to less competition in this environment. Mangroves need water fluctuations to help carry their propagules elsewhere and fresh water to flush out nutrient build up from neighboring sediments.