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widgeongrass

Scientific Name: Ruppia maritima

Family: Ruppiaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names: MI (widgeon-grass)

       

Widgeongrass (Ruppia maritima)

Ruppia maritima, commonly known as widgeongrass, is a submerged aquatic plant found in various coastal and estuarine habitats.

Considerations for Pets

  • Widgeongrass has delicate, thread-like leaves.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Ruppia maritima L.
  • Common Names: Widgeongrass, beaked tasselweed, ditch-grass, tassel pondweed.
  • Family: Ruppiaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Division: Anthophyta
  • Class: Monocotyledoneae
  • Order: Helobiae
  • Synonyms: Ruppia cirrhosa (Petag.) Grande
  • Species Code: Rm

Distribution and Habitat

  • Widgeongrass is a largely marine species found in a diversity of coastal and estuarine habitats.
  • It has been observed in locations such as coastal Louisiana, Michigan (Manistique Lake in the Upper Peninsula), Maine estuaries, and the Mediterranean.
  • It can tolerate a wide range of salinity, from slightly brackish tributaries to near seawater salinity.

Ecological Role

  • Widgeongrass is considered a valuable waterfowl food plant.
  • It provides habitat for various species and serves as nursery areas.
  • It can become a potential nuisance requiring management in ponds or lakes.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is a completely submerged perennial plant.
  • Stems can be single or multi-branched, growing up to 3 feet long.
  • Leaves are alternate, simple, and thread-like, typically around 1 mm wide with pointed tips.
  • It has stipules and leaf sheath.
  • It has a submerged seagrass rhizome that is vertical, except for the lower ends which become horizontal.
  • Forms bushy, fan-like underwater structures.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Widgeongrass biomass can be affected by the presence of epiphytic algae.
  • It serves as a habitat and food source for the southern pipefish (Syngnathus folletti).
  • Waterbirds can impact widgeongrass in Mediterranean wetlands.

Further Information

  • Florida Oceanographic Society
  • US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Thinkport.org: http://bayville.thinkport.org