SafePlants

Manatee Grass (Syringodium filiforme)

Syringodium filiforme, commonly known as manatee grass, is a species of marine seagrass.

Considerations for Pets

• Manatee grass has thin blades that are cylindrical in cross-section.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Syringodium filiforme Kützing
• Common Name: Manatee grass
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Anthophyta
• Class: Monocotyledoneae
• Order: Helobiae
• Synonym: Cymodocea filiformis (Kütz.) Correll

Distribution and Habitat

• Manatee grass is a prominent component of seagrass beds in shallow warm waters from Florida and the Gulf Coast of the United States south through the West Indies to northern South America.
• Specific locations mentioned include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, and Cayman Islands.

Morphology and Growth Habits

• Characterized by thin, cylindrical blades, unlike the flat blades of most other seagrasses.
• Blades are typically 4-12 inches in length and less than 0.1 inches in width.
• It forms colonies with an extensive network of rhizomes (horizontal stems).
• Leaves are generally green, thin, tubular, and spaghetti-like, tapering to a point.

Ecological Role

• Found in tropical coastal waters with salinities of 20-36 parts per thousand (ppt).
• Appears to be of minimal value to fish and waterfowl.

Additional Information

• Manatee grass grows more rapidly than Turtle or Shoal grasses, and is hardy.