Surf Grass

Scientific Name:
Phyllospadix scouleri
Description

Terrestrial (land) plant that actually lives in the aquatic intertidal zone. It has long green blades and flowers during late spring and summer. For many intertidal species like crabs, snails and sea stars, surf grass is an important habitat.

Fun Facts

Most “plants” in the ocean are actually not plants at all, but are algae, like kelp. This true plant reproduces with pollen and seeds, just like its cousins that live on land.

Nature Topics
Marine Life, The Great Kelp Forest

Habitat

Feeding

A dense mat of long, bright green blades of surf grass grows among brown and red seaweed in the shallow intertidal zone, with water flowing gently over the plants.

Photo credit: ©Kip Evans

Surf Grass relies on

  • Line drawing on the sun

    Sun

  • Line drawing of a water drop

    Water

  • Line drawing of a plant above ground and its roots below ground

    Nutrients