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.

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Shoal grass can be found worldwide. It resembles land grass, with stiff, green, strap-shaped blades.

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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

Tags:
Plants & Trees Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Open & Shallow Waters