Rhizophora annamalayana is indeed a recognized species of mangrove. It was described as a new species in 2020. Rhizophora annamalayana is named after the Annamalai Hills in the Western Ghats of India, where it was discovered.

Rhizophora annamalayana belongs to the genus Rhizophora and the family Rhizophoraceae. As a mangrove species, it is adapted to thrive in coastal habitats characterized by high salinity, tidal fluctuations, and waterlogged soils. Rhizophora annamalayana, like other mangrove species, plays a vital role in shoreline stabilization, providing habitat for numerous organisms, and contributing to the overall health of coastal ecosystems.