Shoal Grass
Halodule wrightii
Shoal grass is a perennial submerged aquatic herb that resembles land grass. Although it can be found around the world, it grows predominantly throughout the southern United States and South America.
Appearance
Shoal grass resembles land grass, with stiff, green, strap-shaped blades. Blades of grass grow up to 13 inches long. It produces egg-shaped fruits that are about two millimeters in size.
Predators
Habitat destruction and motor damage pose the biggest threats to shoal grass. Increased sunlight following die-offs of turtle grass has caused a decrease in the light-sensitive shoal grass population.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Reproduction occurs through shoot and seed production and fragmentation (asexual reproduction where an organism splits into pieces).
Did You Know?
- Shoal grass is known as a pioneer species, colonizing areas that are too shallow for other species to thrive in or on banks that have been damaged.
- Habitat destruction and motor damage pose the biggest threats to shoal grass. Increased sunlight following die-offs of turtle grass has caused a decrease in the light-sensitive shoal grass population.
- Shoal grass forms dense meadows, creating important habitat for invertebrates and fish.
- Because shoal grass sequesters carbon, it plays a major role in counteracting ocean acidification.
Sources and Additional Information
- Shoal Grass – Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Types of seagrass – Garden Guides
- Underwater Grasses in Chesapeake Bay & Mid-Atlantic Coastal Waters by Maryland Sea Grant