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Eelgrass
Zostera marina
γ’γγ’
A seagrass growing in shallow seas (tidal flats to several meters depth). Eelgrass beds, where photosynthetic vascular plants grow submerged in the sea, provide critical ecosystems as nursery grounds for juvenile fish and as carbon dioxide sinks.
Identification Points
- βLeaves are long ribbon-shaped, 0.5β1 cm wide and 50β150 cm long
- βA fully submerged marine vascular plant
- βPollen is released as filaments for underwater pollination (hydrophily)
Habitat
Shallow coastal seabed (sandy-muddy substrate, tidal flats to several meters depth)
Season
AprilβJune (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf shape
Linear
Habitat
Aquatic
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Venation
Parallel
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf dissection
Undivided
Ovary position
Superior
Phylogenetic Positionγ’γγ’η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Monocots > Alismatales > Zosteraceae
Divergence Era
Latest Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 70 Ma onwards)
Evolution Notes
Zosteraceae represents a secondary adaptation of land plants to fully marine life. It has evolved a sophisticated hydrophilous pollination system, releasing filamentous pollen into the water for current-mediated pollination.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification