{"id":14942,"date":"2022-06-11T18:53:56","date_gmt":"2022-06-11T15:53:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klqewmpxo.cyon.link\/?page_id=14942"},"modified":"2026-01-11T08:12:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T06:12:55","slug":"seegraeser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azalas.de\/en\/seagrass\/","title":{"rendered":"Seagrass, Posidonia and Cymodocea"},"content":{"rendered":"

N<\/big>ot all marine plants are algae. Some higher plants (flowering plants) also occur in the sea; these are land plants that have subsequently \u2018migrated\u2019 back into the sea. All truly marine plants, the seagrasses, belong to four families of the order Alismatales<\/em>. Although only a few species of seagrass exist, they often cover large areas and play an important role in the ecosystem, particularly in the Mediterranean. Two species are common around Naxos: the Neptune grass (Posidonia oceanica)<\/em> and Cymodocea nodosa<\/em>. They grow particularly well on sandy and muddy soils, as – unlike algae – they have well-developed roots with which they can anchor themselves in the sand. The “meadows” of Neptune grass are particularly important as they produce much oxygen and provide a habitat for countless animal species.<\/p>\n

In the Photo gallery of the marine plants<\/strong><\/a> you will find an overview of all the marine plants I have photographed to date. Please note that many of the identifications are uncertain.<\/p>\n

Neptune grass, Posidonia oceanica<\/em>, (L.) Delile<\/h6>\n

T<\/big>he Neptune grass is (still) common around Naxos forming in many places extensive seagrass meadows.<\/p>\n

\"Seagrass
\nSeagrass meadows are difficult to photograph from the surface because they usually grow in greater depths; these pictures are taken off the M\u00e1kares Islands to the east of Azal\u00e1s, where some meadows can be found in a depth of just a few meters.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Seagrass
\nSeagrass meadows are among the most important habitats in the sea; they provide shelter and food for countless animals.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Neptune
\nThe Neptune grass loses its \u2018leaves\u2019 in winter; depending on the wind direction and wave action, these are washed up on some beaches in large quantities.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Seagrass,
\nThe leaves, which take on a brown colour when dead, are about 1 cm wide and have characteristic transverse stripes.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Neptune
\nThe plant forms strong rhizomes that run just below the surface in the sand. The leaves grow from these in small clusters; they can reach a length of 1 meter. Their green colour cannot be seen underwater. <\/small><\/p>\n

\"Neptune<\/p>\n

\"Neptune
\nThe waves often roll the dead leaves of Neptune grass into characteristic round balls, which can be found here and there on the beach.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Neptune<\/p>\n

Cymodocea nodosa<\/em>, Asch.<\/h6>\n

T<\/big>he “Small neptune grass” Cymodocea nodosa<\/em> is also common around the coast of Naxos.<\/p>\n

\"Cymodocea
\nCymodocea nodosa<\/em> mostly grows in water of a few meters depth. It does not form dense meadows.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Cymodocea
\nThe Small Neptune grass proliferates by root runners, so that the individual plants often stand in rows.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Cymodocea<\/p>\n

to the Photo gallery<\/a><\/p>\n

back: Marine plants – Introduction<\/a><\/p>\n

see also:<\/p>\n