Zostera:

Zostera - Greek for “aquatic plant” - has two species, one native to our Washington waters and one which is not. 

Zostera Marina (our native eel grass) has dull green leaves which are 4mm or more wide and can grow up to 3m long.  Zostera marina, is a fragile intertidal plant that provides a rich habitat for many invertebrate species and juvenile fish, including their eggs.  This species is the common sea grass in our soft substrate, intertidal zones.

Zostera japonica is not as common in our intertidal flats but has been spreading since it was accidentally introduced by Japanese ships.  It generally is no more then 3mm wide and about .5m long.

Phyllospadix:
Phyllospadix – Greek for “leaf and spike of flowers” - has three different species which are usually bright green and the blades are less then 4mm wide. Phyllospadix is commonly known as surf grass and closely resembles it’s soft substrate cousin Zostera with the exception of its roots and the habitat you find it in.  The roots of this flowing plant anchor themselves into rocks of surf beaten areas. You will find Phyllospadix in tide pools and on exposed rocks ranging from the mid-intertidal to sub-tidal regions and from Alaska to Mexico. Like Zostera, Phyllospadix is a very important habitat were juvenile fish and invertebrates spend much of the beginning of their lives

Phyllospadix - Surfgrass