Sea Fruit
Enhalus acoroides

Family: Hydrocharitaceae

What it is like

A herb or coarse sea grass with ribbon like leaves that arise from the base of the plant and can be 150 cm x 1 cm. Flowers are borne on long rather slender stalks. Fruit are about 2 to 3 cm across and contain 8 or 9 green seeds. The seeds are about 1 cm across. Underground there is a root-like stem covered with leafy fibres.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in the Philippines from Luzon to Mindanao and growing in salt water. They are abundant in shallow bays. This grass grows on sandy and muddy shores in sea water up to 4 m deep. It grows in salt water. It does not grow near rivers where fresh water flows into the sea.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, Chuuk, FSM, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Yap

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten either raw or cooked. They are roasted.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit

How it is grown

It grows wild. Seeds sink into the mud and germinate.

Flowering only occurs in places where plants are uncovered during very low seasonal tides.

Its other names

Local names

Berak laut, Chaguan-tasi, Deringu laut, Jari ambun, Jari amun, Jelamun, Jerangau laut, Lamon, Lamun, Setul

Synonyms

Enhalus koenigii Rich.;