It is found growing in coastal and estuarine locations in India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania.

These aerial roots help with gas exchange and also play an important part in the exclusion of salt from the plant's vascular system.

The small, orange-yellow flowers, borne in a racemose inflorescence, have four petals and a diameter of about 4 mm (0.16 in) when expanded.

In some cases, the plant also exhibits vivipary, with the developing shoot breaking through the fruit capsule while it is still growing on the bush.

[6][7] Mangrove habitats in general are threatened by human activities such as coastal development, agriculture, and the creation of fish ponds.

[1] A. alba is a fast-growing species and is sometimes planted, along with Sonneratia and Rhizophora, to help prevent coastal erosion.