Thalassia testudinum Turtle Grass

Thalassia testudinum Turtle Grass

Kingdom: PLANTAE
Division: ANTHOPHYTA
Class: MONOCOTYLEDONEAE
Order: HELOBIAE
Family: HYDROCHARITACEAE
Genus: Thalassia
Species: testudinum

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

• Leaves are flat and linear (strap-like)
• Leaf blades are 10- 12 mm long and 4. 5- 10 mm wide
• Rhizomes are scaly

• Commonly occurs in subtidal waters from low tide to 10 m deep
• In clear water the species is found in water up to 30 m deep
• Prefers mud and/or mud substrates in relatively sheltered locations

• Distributed in the tropical western Atlantic from Venezuela to eastern Florida and Bermuda

Image Credit: Ronald C. Phillips