摘要：Pachira aquatica has historically been regarded as a companion to the American mangroves Rhizophoramangle, Avicennia germinans and Laguncularia racemosa. This species has floating seeds with large cotyledonsand is cryptoviviparous. On the stem it develops buttresses and aerial roots. It supports interstitial water salinitiesof 8.4 ups and superficial water of 18.7 ups. In the coastal plains where salinity is low it is mixed with elements ofthe floodplain forest and where the salinity is greater it appears with mangrove species. The seeds germinate in saltconcentrations between 0 and 9.2 ups. Hydroperiod was determined in sites where the species is present, and rangesfrom 1.5 to −1 m with a flooding period of 8-12 months. Soil redox potential is from 490 to −47 mV. Maps wereproduced for 2 coastal lagoons and an estuary showing the distribution of mangroves and forested wetlands of P.aquatica around them. Based on the information generated, we propose P. aquatica should be considered as a hightide mangrove species and used as the distribution limit of mangroves. It is suggested that it should be considered andprotected under Mexican law as one species of mangrove.
关键词：apompo, cryptoviviparous seeds, distribution, salinity gradient, high tide mangrove, freshwater swamp.;apompo, semillas criptovivíparas, distribución, gradiente de salinidad, mangle de marea alta, selva inundable.
