Halophila engelmannii
Halophila engelmannii | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Order: | Alismatales |
Family: | Hydrocharitaceae |
Genus: | Halophila |
Species: | H. engelmannii
|
Binomial name | |
Halophila engelmannii |
Halophila engelmannii is a species of
Description
Halophila is the only genus of seagrass lacking basal sheaths on the leaf stems. Like other seagrasses, Halophila engelmannii has rhizomes that run along near the surface of sand or mud, with roots at the nodes to anchor them in place. Each leaf stem grows from a node and has a pair of scales halfway up and another pair at the base of the leaf blades. There are 4 to 8 blades on each stem, each of which is up to 30 millimetres (1.2 in) long and 6 millimetres (0.24 in) wide. Each blade is oval, has 6 to 8 veins and a finely serrated margin.[3]
Distribution
Halophila engelmannii is found on the coasts of
Biology
Flowering occurs in the early summer when the water temperature reaches at least 22 °C. Fragments of the plant that become detached are able to grow into new plants. The seagrass meadow acts as habitat and food source for many invertebrates and fish. In the
References
- ^ Guiry, M. D. (2010). "Halophila engelmannii Ascherson, 1875". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
- ^ "Halophila engelmannii Asch". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Halophila engelmannii star grass Archived 2015-09-12 at the Wayback Machine Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
- ^ a b Halophila engelmannii (Star grass) Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
- ^ Elysia serca Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce. Retrieved 2012-01-28.