Zostera

This article is about saltwater eelgrasses. For freshwater eelgrasses, see Vallisneria.

Zostera (marine eelgrasses)
Zostera marina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Zosteraceae
Genus: Zostera
L.
Global distribution map of Zostera. Green indicates presence.
Synonyms[1]
  • Alga Tourn. ex Lam.
  • Heterozostera (Setch.) Hartog
  • Nanozostera Toml. & Posl.
Zostera sp in Mussel Ridge Channel, Birch Island, Maine

Zostera is a small genus of widely distributed seagrasses, commonly called marine eelgrass, or simply seagrass or eelgrass, and also known as seaweed by some fishers and recreational boaters including yacht captains. The genus Zostera contains 15 species.

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