Bruguiera gymnorrhiza (black mangrove, Afrikaans: Swart-wortelboom, Xhosa: Isikhangati, Zulu: Isihlobane) is a small tree up to 10 m high that belongs to the family Rhizophoraceae. It is found on the seaward side of mangrove swamps, often in the company of Rhizophora. Its bark is rough and reddish-brown. The tree develops short prop-roots rather than long stilt-roots. Flowers are creamy-white soon turning brown. The sepals are persistent, narrow and slightly tapered. When mature, the spindle-shaped fruits drop and become embedded in the mud in an upright position, where they rapidly develop roots.