Water Nut, Eel grass
Zostera marina
Family: Zosteraceae
What it is like
A grass like plant that grows in sea water. The leaves are bright green and ribbon like. There are extensive white rhizomes or underground stems. These develop short stems that carry the leaves. The flowers are small and white. They are enclosed in the sheaths of the leaf bracts.
There are 12 Zostera species. They grow in temperate regions.
Where it is found
It is a plant of temperate coasts. It grows in subtropical places. It grows in sand and forms beds just below the low tide mark. It is salt tolerant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Asia, Britain, Canada, Central America, China, Europe, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Myanmar, North Africa, North America, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Thailand
How it is used for food
The roots have a sweet sugar taste. The rhizomes, stems and leaf bases can be eaten raw. They are also used to flavour meat dishes.
Edible parts
Leaves, root, seeds, rhizome
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Grass-wrack, Sea grass