How does vivipary help Sonneratia and Laguncularia mangroves establish seedlings in mud?

Vivipary is a reproductive strategy in which seeds germinate while still attached to the parent tree. In mangroves such as Sonneratia and Laguncularia, this process allows the embryo to develop significantly before it is released into the environment.1

As the seed germinates, the root end of the embryo elongates, passing through the seed's opening and the ovary wall. This embryonic root may grow to a considerable length while the fruit remains on the tree. When the seedling eventually drops, this advanced development allows it to establish itself in the mud immediately, providing a critical advantage for survival in the challenging, shifting conditions of tidal mudflats.1