Zostera pacifica
Pacific eel grass
Family: Zosteraceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Zostera pacifica (Pacific eel grass) is a native California perennial in the Zosteraceae family, recognized by depth, leaf width, and notched leaf tips.
Pacific eel grass is a native perennial found in coastal bioregions including North Coast, Central Coast, Southern Coast, and Channel Islands in subtidal waters rooted 4 to 17 meters below mean low tide. Flowering in August, this aquatic plant produces inconspicuous flowers embedded within its long, ribbon-like leaves. Growing as a slender underwater herb with leaves up to 110 centimeters long and 12 to 18.5 millimeters wide, it forms dense underwater meadows. Its leaves have distinctive notched tips and emerge from nodes with multiple roots, creating a delicate underwater structure. This marine plant plays a critical role in coastal ecosystems, providing habitat and stabilizing seafloor sediments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are depth, leaf width, and notched leaf tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Subtidal waters
Elevation: rooted generally 4-17 m below mean low tide
Outside California: to British Columbia
Bloom period
Zostera pacifica blooms (May)Aug.
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 pacifica native to California?
Yes. Zostera pacifica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Zostera pacifica bloom?
Zostera pacifica blooms (May)Aug.
What plant family does Zostera pacifica belong to?
Zostera pacifica is in the Zosteraceae family, genus Zostera.
What habitat does Zostera pacifica grow in?
Zostera pacifica grows in Common. Subtidal waters.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.