Surfgrass

Hopkins rose sea slug and algae in surfgrass habitat at low tide in Channel Islands National Park

NPS

Common Name
Surfgrass

Scientific Name
Phyllospadix sp.

Habitat
Rocky intertidal and subtidal areas with turbulent surf

Additional Information
Surfgrass is a type of seagrass, or marine flowering plant, that occurs in turbulent waters at or below the low tide line. Surfgrass plants can pollinate both at the surface of the ocean, or while completely submerged. Unlike eelgrass, which grows on soft bottoms, surfgrasses require a rocky substrate to latch onto so they don’t wind up washed ashore or stranded at sea. Surfgrass beds support many species of invertebrates, juvenile fish, and epiphytic algae. The upper portions of brilliant green surfgrass beds occur in the rocky intertidal zone. During negative tides, they are often exposed to the air where their inhabitants may be feasted upon by birds or explored by intrepid tidepoolers.

Surfgrass bed exposed during a low tide at Channel Islands National Park

Jessica Weinberg McClosky / NPS

Two species of surfgrass can be found along the California coast, Phyllospadix scouleri and Phyllospadix torreyi. Phyllospadix scouleri has flat leaves that can grow up to three feet long and short flower stalks. Phyllospadix torreyi has rounded, firmer leaves that can grow as long as 10 feet, longer flower stalks, and is more likely to grow in rocky areas inundated with sand.