The range of this plant barely makes it into Florida and only 2 locations have been documented.  It is not rare in states to the north. Garden flower , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Habitat, Moist woods, stream banks, moist roadsides. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Bumblebees are an important pollinator for this species.  Small beetles feed on the pollen.

It's called "white mangrove" because it exudes extra salt through special glands which makes the leaves appear white. The word "mangrove"  refers to a , Tolerance, Tolerant of frequent or regular inundation (usually areas with tidal inundation) High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and , Habitat, Mangrove swamps. Tends to be at higher elevations that red and black mangroves. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Hurricane wind resistance Attracts bees, wasps, flies and butterflies (Landry 2013).