Dugong Grass (species: Halophila ovalis) in Upolu Reef (Gaia Guide)
Upolu Reef > Plantae > Alismatales > Halophila ovalis (gallery)
Halophila ovalis
Dugong Grass


©Ria Tan: Dugong Grass (Halophila ovalis)

©Anne: Halophila ovalis (oval leaves) and Halodule uninervis (thin strap-like leaves) exposed at low tide at Lizard Island.

©David Witherall and Stephane Leray: Dugong Grass (Halophila ovalis), Ocean Freedom, Upolu Ree

show or add records

Kingdom Plantae
Division Tracheophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Alismatales
Family Hydrocharitaceae
Genus Halophila
Species Halophila ovalis

Show in taxonomy
Show field guides

Colours

    

Distinguishing features

The leaves are ovate in outline, appearing on stems that emerge from rhizome beneath the sand. The roots get up to 800 mm long and covered in fine root hairs. (Wikipedia)

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

The plant occurs around reefs, estuaries, islands, inter-tidal areas, on soft sand or mud substrates. It is often found in meadows that dominate a sand bank or other patch of sea floor. (Wikipedia)

Web resources

Natural predators

References

  • Cribb, A.B. and J.W. Cribb (1985). Plant life of the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent shores University of Queensland Press, St Lucia.
  • De Sloover, J.R. and A.-L. Jacquemart (2008). Nymph Island (Great Barrier Reef, Qld., Australia): Flora and vegetation of a low wooded island, Scripta Botanica Belgica, 43: 1-88. LIRS catalog number 1210.
  • Hay, M.E., J.R. Pawlik, J.E. Duffy and W. Fenical (1989). Seaweed-herbivore-predator interactions: host-plant specialization reduces predation on small herbivores, Oecologia, 81: 418-427. LIRS catalog number 276.
  • View all references