Seagrass

ocean plants · underwater flowers · marine life

Unique ocean flowers. Seagrasses are the only flowering plants in the entire ocean. Unlike most seaweed, they have real roots, leaves, and flowers just like plants on land.

Ancient ocean pioneers. These amazing plants came from land animals that moved to the ocean between 70 and 100 million years ago. Over time, they changed and adapted to live completely underwater.

About 60 species exist. There are roughly 60 different kinds of seagrass in the world, and they all belong to one of four plant families in the order Alismatales.

Fish and animal homes. Seagrass meadows are like underwater forests where fish, shrimp, and other sea creatures hide, hunt, and lay their eggs.

Sandy ocean floors. Seagrass grows in shallow, sandy parts of the ocean where sunlight can reach and their roots can anchor into the seafloor.