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Halophila stipulacea (Forsskål) Ascherson, 1867
Halophila is a genus of plants in the frogbit family. They are perennial, herbaceous plants living in salt water. They have a narrow shoot axis, grow creeping and branched. In Halophila species, the shoot axis breaks apart easily. They root at their nodes. The leaves, usually opposite, are petiolate and may be entire or more or less toothed.
Halophila stipulacea originates from the warm Indian Ocean. Since the opening of the Suez Canal about 130 years ago, this species has migrated across the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, where it has spread invasively. In the meantime, Halophila stipulacea has already reached the Caribbean and is spreading there as well.
Rhizome 0.5-2 mm wide. Leaf 3-6 cm long, 2.5-8 mm wide; margin slightly toothed, apex blunt,
Important source of primary production, nursery area and grazed by fish (Siganus, Zebrasoma), turtles and dugongs.
Synonymised names:
Thalassia stipulacea (Forsskål) K.D.König, 1805
Zostera stipulacea Forsskål, 1775 (synonym)
Halophila is a genus of plants in the frogbit family. They are perennial, herbaceous plants living in salt water. They have a narrow shoot axis, grow creeping and branched. In Halophila species, the shoot axis breaks apart easily. They root at their nodes. The leaves, usually opposite, are petiolate and may be entire or more or less toothed.
Halophila stipulacea originates from the warm Indian Ocean. Since the opening of the Suez Canal about 130 years ago, this species has migrated across the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean Sea, where it has spread invasively. In the meantime, Halophila stipulacea has already reached the Caribbean and is spreading there as well.
Rhizome 0.5-2 mm wide. Leaf 3-6 cm long, 2.5-8 mm wide; margin slightly toothed, apex blunt,
Important source of primary production, nursery area and grazed by fish (Siganus, Zebrasoma), turtles and dugongs.
Synonymised names:
Thalassia stipulacea (Forsskål) K.D.König, 1805
Zostera stipulacea Forsskål, 1775 (synonym)
