Zostera marina
Eel grass
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Family: Zosteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Zostera marina (Eel grass) is a native California herb in the Zosteraceae family, recognized by depth, leaf width, and leaf tip shape.
Eel grass is a California native perennial found in coastal bioregions including North Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Channel Islands, rooted generally 1 to 4 meters below mean low tide in shallow water, bays, and estuaries. Flowering from March to June, this marine plant produces delicate underwater flowers with subtle reproductive structures. Growing with long, ribbon-like green blades up to 150 centimeters in length and 1.5 to 12 millimeters wide, it forms dense underwater meadows with multiple roots emerging from each node. Its leaves have closed sheaths and generally obtuse tips, creating a flowing underwater landscape that provides critical marine habitat. These plants reproduce through both sexual flowering and vegetative spread, with multiple roots anchoring them in soft marine sediments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are depth, leaf width, and leaf tip shape
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Shallow water, bays, estuaries
Elevation: rooted generally 1-4 m below mean low tide
Outside California: northern hemisphere
Bloom period
Zostera marina blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Phyllospadix: Zostera grows in calm bay mud/sand; Phyllospadix grows on wave-swept rocks.; vs Vallisneria: Zostera is marine in saltwater bays; Vallisneria is freshwater in lakes/streams.; vs Ulva: Zostera has narrow ribbon leaves; Ulva is broad sheet-like or lettuce-like green algae.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zostera marina native to California?
Yes. Zostera marina is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Zostera marina bloom?
Zostera marina blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Zostera marina belong to?
Zostera marina is in the Zosteraceae family, genus Zostera.
What habitat does Zostera marina grow in?
Zostera marina grows in Common. Shallow water, bays, estuaries.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.