Phyllospadix torreyi

Surf grass

Family: Zosteraceae · Type: perennial · Native

Surf grass is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including northern California Coast, central California Coast, southern California Coast, and Channel Islands in surf zones, rocky shores, and intertidal areas from below mean low tide to the water's surface. Flowering from May to November, this marine plant produces pale green to white flowers in delicate, narrow bracts. Growing as a submerged marine grass with long, ribbon-like leaves that sway with ocean currents, it forms dense underwater meadows anchored by flexible rhizomes. Its leaves are thin, elongated, and deep green, measuring up to several decimeters long and adapting to wave action in rocky coastal environments. The fruit is small, approximately 2 to 3 millimeters in length, helping the plant reproduce in challenging marine habitats.

Habitat: Surf zones, rocky shores, intertidal, subtidal

Bloom period: May-Nov

Elevation: 0-15 m below mean low tide

Bioregions: NCo, CCo, SCo, ChI

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.