Visual Description: The leaves vary in length from about 2 inches long and the bigger leaves (as shown in the picture) are about 3 1/2 inches long. The leaves are a vibrant green color but some were more of a yellow/ greenish color. The prop roots were a light brown and about 1/2 inch thick. The mangrove trees branches are full and thick. Defining Characteristic: the prop roots indicate that it is a red mangrove. The branches and the leaves of the tree also indicate that it is a dicot.
Habitat: The habitat is in the brackish water of the Indian River lagoon. The trees are located in shallow waters that range from 6 inches to a foot deep. The red mangroves are native to most tropical and subtropical shorelines. (Map here) https://untamedscience.com/biodiversity/red-mangrove/
References: The National Wildlife Federation: https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Plants-and-Fungi/Red-Atlas of Florida Plants: Mangrovehttps://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3926
Coordinates definitely wrong
Only one of these beautiful butterflies was observed. This is the second one that I've seen in this area.