Dugong Grass, Paddleweed

Dugong Grass, Paddleweed
English Common Name
Dugong Grass, Paddleweed
Scientific name
Halophila ovalis
Taxonomy
Order: Alismatales, Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Size
About 3 cm (in height)
Species Distribution
Within Japan, distribution is limited to Ryukyu Islands. Overseas, this species is found near Australia and Polynesia, as well as in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
Okinawan Common Name
Jan-gusa (general term for seagrass)
Japan Red List of Threatened Species: Near Threatened
This species inhabits sandy or sandy-mud bottom of intertidal zones. Some leaves show magenta colored spots, but unlike Halophila major, its roots don’t turn magenta.

Updated December 2018

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