Eelgrass

Eelgrass Zostera marina

Description

An aquatic, grass-like plant, Zostera marina, commonly found on saltwater beaches and tidal pools. Eelgrass has been used since earliest times for packing, storage, and weaving. It is now used in the manufacture of wall boards and in wall insulation. The name eelgrass has also been used for tape grass (Vallisneria spiralis) which is found near temperate and tropical shorelines.

Synonyms and Related Terms

eel grass; tape grass; wild celery; grass weed; grass wrack ; zeegras (genus Zostera) (Ned);

Additional Images

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  Eelgrass Zostera marina

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  Eelgrass Zostera marina

Authority

• Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "Eelgrass." Encyclopædia Britannica. 18 Aug. 2004 .