Page authors: Don Knoke, David Giblin
Zostera marina
common eelgrass, seawrack
Specimens
Photos

Distribution: Occurring west of the Cascades crest in Washington\'s coastal counties; Alaska to California along the coast; also on the Atlantic Coast.

Habitat: Sub-tidal area.

Flowers: June-August

Origin: Native

Growth Duration: Perennial

Conservation Status: Not of concern

Pollination: Water

Description:
General:

Monoecious, submersed, aquatic perennials from extensive rhizomes, the stems branching, up to 2 m. long.

Leaves:

Leaves alternate, linear, basally sheathing, up to 12 dm. long and 3-12 mm. broad, the sheaths closed.

Flowers:

Inflorescence 1-sided, 3-6 cm. long, the staminate and pistillate flowers alternating in two rows on the fleshy axis; each staminate flower a single, sessile anther, quickly detached; each pistillate flower a single, 2-carpellary pistil with 1 style and 2 stigmas.

Identification Notes:

:Utricle about 4 mm. long, beaked, rounded at the base.

Accepted Name:
Zostera marina L.
Publication: Sp. Pl. 2: 968. 1753.

Synonyms & Misapplications:
Zostera marina L. var. stenophylla Asch. & Graebn.
Additional Resources:

PNW Herbaria: Specimen records of Zostera marina in the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria database

WA Flora Checklist: Zostera marina checklist entry

OregonFlora: Zostera marina information

E-Flora BC: Zostera marina atlas page

CalPhotos: Zostera marina photos

22 photographs:
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