Eelgrass

Common name: Eelgrass

Authors: Ares Bach, Thomas Woodruff, Kai Higgs

Scientific name: Zostera marina

Size : They are ¼” wide and can grow to 3 feet long.

Identifying features: Long and bright green ribbon-like leaves.

Cool facts:   Z. marina will store nutrients and energy via rhizomes for required flowering in the spring and summer. They are one of the few marine plants that produce flowers. Eelgrass meadows reduce coastal erosion. They also provide refuge for juvenile salmon, spawning herring, Dungeness Crab, shellfish, migrating waterfowl and other marine animals.

Habitat:   The Eelgrass takes residence in a range of environments, from low intertidal pools, to subtidal areas, from Alaska to Mexico.

References

Dr. Bridgette Clarkson. (2015) A field guide to seaweeds of the pacific northwest. Pender Harbour: Harbour publishing.

Kozlof, E. (1993)  seashore life of the northern pacific coast: An illustrated guide to Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press.