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Zostera marina - L.

Common Name Eel Grass, Seawrack
Family Zosteraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Fine gravel, sand or mud in the sea from low water spring tides down to depths of 4 metres[17]. It is rarely found in estuaries[17].
Range Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to the Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Water Plants Full sun
Zostera marina Eel Grass, Seawrack


commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh
Zostera marina Eel Grass, Seawrack

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Zostera marina is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Water.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Pond;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root  Seed
Edible Uses:

Leaves - raw or cooked[177, 256]. The leaf bases are crisp and sweet, they were often used as a feast food by the native North American Indians[256]. Seed[177]. No more details are given. The root of the plant is chewed for its saccharine juice[2, 105]. The root is crisp and sweet, it was used as a flavouring by the native North American Indians and was also dried for winter food[256]. The raw rhizomes were often used as a feast food[256].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Women's complaints

The leaves are used in the treatment of dropsy, goitre and women's illnesses[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Compost  Packing

The dried leaves and stems are used as a packing material[46, 61, 66, 100]. The plant is frequently used as a manure[2].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of shallow sea water, it is not really suitable for normal cultivation.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Division.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Phyllospadix scouleriSurf Grass, Scouler's surfgrassPerennial0.1 0-0  LMHNWeWa20 
Phyllospadix torreyiSea Grass, Torrey's surfgrassPerennial2.0 0-0  LMHNWeWa201

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

17

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Prof Di Walker, University of Western Australia   Fri Jul 14 2006

This page contains misleading and inaccurate information about Zostera marina. There are annual populations and it frequently occurs in estuaries.

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Subject : Zostera marina  
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