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Zostera japonica (Japanese eelgrass)
Copyright © 2006
Mary Jo Adams
This species is occasionally seen in Southern British Columbia and Washington. Also known as dwarf eelgrass and narrow-bladed eelgrass, Japanese eelgrass belongs to the family Zosteraceae. It is nonnative to the West Coast of North America. With a blade length not exceeding 8 inches (20 cm.) and blade width of only 1/8th inch (2-3 mm.), this species is smaller than the native Z. marina. In addition, it grows in the mid intertidal zone while Z. marina is found in low intertidal and subtidal zones. Like Zostera marina, it is found on beaches with a soft substrate, i.e. sand or mud. Zostera japonica has also been known under the scientific names Z. nolti, Z. nana, and Z. americana.
This
page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 9/13/06.
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