Red mangrove is a shrub or a small to medium-sized, round-topped, bushy tree growing 5 - 20 metres tall with occasional specimens to 30 metres. The straight bole can be free of branches for 9 - 12 metres and 20 - 70cm, occasionally to 90cm in diameter. The tree has branched, curved, and arching stilt roots 2 - 4.5 metres tall when growing in salt water.A multipurpose tree, it is used as a food in times of emergency, has medicinal properties and supplies a range of commodities. The bark, or the tannins extracted from it, are exported in quantity to America and Europe[