It's been a long time since I last experimented with mangrove fruits and seedlings. However, recently I collected some Avicennia germinans fruits for demonstration purposes. The fruit opens within hours (or even minutes) after falling into the water, and the well-developed seedling emerges. The cotyledons and the root/hypocotyl between them unfold (like opening a pocket knife). The root curves toward the substrate and anchors itself. #mangroves #Amazonas #Acanthaceae #seedling #wetlands #botany