Overview

Key Features:

Bright green, numerous blades arising from a dense rhizome. Looks like really long, thin-bladed grass.

Similar Species:

Eel grass (Zostera marina)

Primary Common Name:

Torrey's surf grass

General Grouping:

Plants

Geographic Range:

Alaska to California

Phyllospadix torreyi occurs in Western North America, from Alaska to California.

Intertidal Height:

-2 to 0 feet (-0.6096 to 0 meters)

Notes:

Phyllospadix torreyi occurs at or below zero tide level or in mid-low tide pools

Subtidal Depth Range:

Minimum Depth: 0 meters or 0 feet
Maximum Depth: 15 meters or 49.95 feet

Notes:

Phyllospadix torreyi occurs in the intertidal to 15 meters, but is rarely deeper than 5 m in central California.

Habitats:

bay (rocky shore), exposed rocky shore, kelp forest, protected rocky shore

Notes:

Phyllospadix torreyi is more likely to be found in sand-scoured areas than is Phyllospadix scouleri.

Abundance:

Relative Abundance:

Phyllospadix torreyi is common.

Species Description:

General:

Phyllospadix torreyi is in the family Zosteraceae, which is commonly known as eel grass. Surfgrass is an angiosperm with true leaves, stems, and rootstocks, not an alga. Phyllospadix torreyi is one of two species of the genus Phyllospadix, the other being Phyllospadix scouleri.

Distinctive Features:

Phyllospadix torreyi leaves are characteristically less than 2 mm wide and are generally more firm, cylindrical, and wiry than Phyllospadix scouleri.

Size:

Phyllospadix torreyi grows up to 2 meters.

Natural History:

General:

Phyllospadix torreyi\\\\\\\'s habitat is highly productive, providing shelter for many invertebrates and supporting many species of algae. This species also provides nursery habitat for fishes and invertebrates, such as the California spiny lobster. Phyllospadix torreyi is susceptible to desiccation and heat stress during low midday tides.

Prey:

Phyllospadix torreyi nourishes itself through photosynthesis, converting the energy of light to the energy of carbohydrate molecules.

Feeding Behavior:

Photosynthetic

References

• MARINe. 2004 (Updated 12/09/04). Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal Network. World Wide Web electronic publication, http://www.marine.gov, Accessed [04/22/06]
• Plants for a future. 2004. World Wide Web electronic publication, http://www.pfaf.org/, Accessed [04/22/06].

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