Mangrove

coastal · salt water · super adaptable · tropical

Salt-fighting roots. Mangroves have special roots that filter out salt from seawater, letting them drink from water that would kill most plants. Some roots even stick up above the ground to grab extra oxygen from the air.

Around the equator. You'll find mangroves hugging tropical coastlines between 30° north and 30° south of the equator, mostly within 5° of the equator itself. They love warm, wet coastal areas with tides.

Ancient survivors. Mangroves have been around since the time of dinosaurs, fossils from 75 million years ago show mangrove palms thriving back then. They spread across the oceans as continents drifted.

Nursery for sea life. Young fish and shrimp hide in mangrove roots to stay safe from predators, making these forests essential nurseries for ocean animals.

Different families, same job. Mangroves aren't all related, they evolved separately in different plant families but ended up looking and acting alike. This is called convergent evolution.