Avicennia marina mangrove leaf salt excretion: microscopic salt glands and osmotic balance?
What physiological mechanisms allow grey mangroves in the hyper-saline Puttalam lagoon to excrete crystalline sea salt through specialized epidermal leaf glands?
More
3 Answers from travellers
The Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina / Manda) thrives in hyper-saline arid lagoons around Puttalam and Mannar where salinities exceed 35 PSU. Unlike Rhizophora mangroves that filter salt at root membranes, Avicennia absorbs saline groundwater and transports sodium and chloride ions up through xylem tissues to the foliage. The leaves possess microscopic bicellular epidermal salt glands on both surfaces. These glands utilize ATP-driven ion pumps to excrete concentrated brine outward, where hot tropical winds evaporate the water, leaving visible white sodium chloride crystals coating the green leaf surface.
Licking the underside of an Avicennia leaf confirms heavy salt crystallization; rainfall washes salt crusts away to prevent osmotic tissue scorch.
Avicennia also produces vertical pencil-like pneumatophore breathing roots extending 20cm above anaerobic mud to absorb atmospheric oxygen at low tide.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- Wildlife parks in Sri Lanka beyond Yala - Wilpattu, Minneriya, Udawalawe - which is worth visiting?2 answers
- Kandy Esala Perahera - when does it happen, where are the best viewing spots, and how do I get seats?2 answers
- Arugam Bay vs Weligama for intermediate surfing - which should I choose and why?2 answers
- Best local food to eat in Colombo - where do locals actually eat and what should I try?2 answers
- How cheap can you realistically travel Sri Lanka on a shoestring - $25-30 USD per day?2 answers
- Ayurveda retreat in Sri Lanka - what to expect and how to find genuine treatment vs tourist trap?2 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture