| Tape-grasses | |
|---|---|
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| Halophila engelmannii – Star Grass. Picture taken in Florida's Gulf Coast. | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Hydrocharitaceae |
| Subfamily: | Hydrilloideae |
| Genus: | Halophila Thouars |
| Synonyms[1] | |
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Halophila is agenus ofseagrasses in thefamilyHydrocharitaceae, thetape-grasses. It was described as a genus in 1806.[2] The number of its contained species, and its own placement in the orderAlismatales, has evolved.
These oceanic herbs grow underwater and have creeping stoloniferous stems and leafy nodes.[3] Unlike other seagrasses, the leaves of some species ofHalophila do not have basal sheaths (i.e. the bases of the leaves do not wrap around the stem to form a sheath).[4]
The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers are borne on stems. The parts occur in multiples of three along a single row.[3]
The female flowers do not have stalks. They are divided into three segments. The single chambered ovary has a long beak. The three style are long and simple. The ovules are attached on top of three placentas.[3]
The fruit is included in the bract surrounding the inflorescence (the spathe) and crowned by a beak. They have many seeds and thick embryos.[3]
This genus is widespread in tropical waters, the distribution range also extends to subtropical and temperate waters primarily the Indian and Pacific Oceans but also the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas and the Gulf of Mexico.[1] It is found growing off the coasts of Africa, India, Australia and the Pacific Islands.[3]
The Latinspecific epithethalophila refers to salt loving.[5]
Species accepted by theKew Botanical Garden.[1]
