Plant life as we know it originated in the sea, so it is not surprising that there are plants in the oceans. The species that have been identified are not as numerous as those in the earth's crust, but they can certainly also be very beautiful. In addition, many of them serve as a refuge for some animals, especially during their youth.
If you want to know some of them and their main characteristics, then we are going to present them to you. Who knows, you might be able to identify one the next time you go to the beach or dive.
What are marine plants?
Marine plants, as their name suggests, are those that live in the oceans, both on the coast and in the depths. There are some that are very small, just a few centimeters, but there are others that reach several meters in height, to the point that they form forests. Out of curiosity, you should know that they began their evolution about 400 million years ago, when on planet Earth there was only water, which arrived here, according to the most accepted theory, inside asteroids that were impacting with the Earth.
Where are you from?
All the marine plants we know come from green algae. These have the capacity to carry out photosynthesis, and can be single or multicellular, but they do not have roots, stems or leaves like plants. But since they have chlorophyll, they absorb carbon dioxide and sunlight, and transform it into food. As a result of this process, they release oxygen, thanks to which both the plants and animals of the oceans can survive.
Types of marine plants
We know some details of the evolution of marine plants, but… what are their names? These are some:
Avicennia germinans
Image - Wikimedia / Ianaré Sévi
La Avicennia germinans It is a tree or sometimes a shrub, which is known as the white mangrove, the black mangrove or the black mangrove. It grows wild on the tropical coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific. It can reach a height of 3 to 10 meters, and its leaves are between 6 and 10 centimeters long by up to 3 centimeters wide. Its flowers are grouped in inflorescences and measure about 2-4 millimeters. The fruits are ovate, about 2 centimeters long, and contain seeds that germinate before the shell opens.
Cymodocea knotosa
Image - Wikimedia / Tigerente
La Cymodocea knotosa It is a herb known by the name of seba, which inhabits the intertidal zones of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast. It grows to reach 60 centimeters in height. Its leaves are long and thin, green in color. The flowers are terminal, solitary, and unisexual. The fruit is a drupe that has 3 ribs on the back, yellowish or brownish when ripe. The seeds are small, about 8 millimeters.
Halodule wrightii
Image - Wikimedia / Hans Hillewaert
La Halodule wightii It is a rhizomatous marine plant that lives in the world's tropical oceans. The leaves are tapered, green, and they are about 20 centimeters long. Its fruits are ovate, and are about 2 millimeters wide.
Posidonia oceanica
Image - Wikimedia / albert kok
La Posidonia oceanica, simply called posidonia, is an endemic plant of the Mediterranean. Its leaves are tapered, of a greenish color, with a size of up to 1 meter long., and tends to form clumps. It blooms during the fall, and in the spring it bears fruit. These fruits float on the surface, and are known as sea olives.
Spartina alterniflora
Image - Wikimedia / Vperezcuadra
La Spartina alterniflora, known as crab or borraza espartillo, is a grass native to the Americas, where it grows in salty estuaries. It is a grass that lives for several years, but can be left without leaves at some point (autumn-winter), so it is deciduous. It grows between 1 and 1,5 meters in height, with a smooth and hollow stem from which almost linear leaves sprout 20 to 60 centimeters long by 15 millimeters wide at their base. Its flowers are greenish-yellow in color, and appear in winter.
Zostera marina
Image - Wikimedia / Totti
La Zostera marina It is a herb that lives in estuaries, sea beds and marshes between 36º and 60º north latitude. It can reach a height of up to 150 centimeters, with green tapered leaves. The flowers are grouped in inflorescences, and the fruits are achenes with an ellipsoid or ovoid shape.
What are the beach plants called?
We have seen some marine plants that live in the sea, but… what are those that live in the sand on the beach? Would you like to know? Well these are considered halofilas, and some of their names are:
Alyssum loiseleurii
Image - Wikimedia / Ghislain118 (AD)
El Alyssum loiseleurii (before alyssum arenarium) is a perennial herb native to southwestern France and northern Spain. Grows up to 20 centimeters tall, and its color is ashen green. It is a plant that branches from the base, and its leaves are covered with hairs. The flowers are grouped in clusters and are yellow.
Armeria pungens
Image - Wikimedia / Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez
La Armeria pungens it is a small plant that forms clumps of about 40-80 centimeters high. Its leaves are linear-lanceolate and measure about 14 centimeters long by 6 millimeters wide. The flowers are pink colored chapters, quite showy.
Asparagus macrorrhizus
Image - Wikimedia / Nanosanchez
El Asparagus macrorrhizusbefore asparagus maritimus, is a perennial plant endemic to the Mar Menor, in Murcia (Spain). It grows to a maximum of 30 centimeters, with stems from which green leaves sprout. It is critically endangered.
Crithmum maritime
Image - Wikimedia / Alex Patak
El Crithmum maritime, known as sea fennel or marine parsley, is a perennial herb native to Europe. Reaches a height of about 20-30 centimeters, with branched stems from which linear greenish leaves sprout. The flowers sprout in umbels, and they are yellow.
Clump coast
Image - Wikimedia / Svdmolen
El Clump coast It is an herb that we know by the name of sea thistle or sea thistle. It lives on the coasts of Europe, reaching a height of 50 centimeters. It is a thorny plant, with bluish or silver colored leaves, and beautiful lilac flowers.
propagating through a pine forest (Pinus halepensis).
El propagating through a pine forest (Pinus halepensis)., or Aleppo pine, is one of the few Pine trees who can live on the beach, along with him Pinea pine. In the Balearic Islands (Spain), for example, it grows almost on the seafront. It is native to the Mediterranean region, and reaches a height of 25 meters, with a tortuous but strong trunk. Its leaves are green needles about 10 centimeters long, and its cones are small.
Do you know other marine plants and / or that live on the beaches?