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Phyllospadix scouleri - Hook.

Common Name Surf Grass, Scouler's surfgrass
Family Zosteraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Intertidal and sub-tidal levels on the Pacific coast[60].
Range Western N. America - Alaska to California.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Wet Soil Water Plants Full sun
Phyllospadix scouleri Surf Grass, Scouler


Phyllospadix scouleri Surf Grass, Scouler

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Phyllospadix scouleri is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is in flower from May to August, and the seeds ripen from June to August. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). .
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Pond; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Root
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked. Eaten in spring[61, 105, 118]. The entire plant, including the long salty-tasting leaves, were formed into square cakes and dried as a winter food by some native North American Indian tribes[256]. The leaves were occasionally cooked and eaten by some native North American Indian tribes[257].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it is hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. The main problem with this plant is that it is likely to require maritime conditions and possibly also periodic inundation in salt water, so it might not be possible to cultivate the plant under normal garden conditions. Plants of Phyllospadix grow attached to rocks, many of which are exposed at low tide. In summary Phyllospadix vegetation protects the rocky substrate from erosion, and by accumulating sand in and between the tussocks, transforms the rocky substrate into sandy beaches or sublittoral sand flats. Rejuvenation of the Phyllospadix vegetation, however, is then no longer possible on the sand-covered rocks. The plants eventually die, exposing the sand-covered rocks to wave action, which results in erosion of the sand, again exposing the rocks[270].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if this is possible in a greenhouse and perhaps adding some salt to the soil. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Phyllospadix torreyiSea Grass, Torrey's surfgrassPerennial2.0 0-0  LMHNWeWa201

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Hook.

Botanical References

60270

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed May 26 21:52:13 2004

can u please add classification

   Wed Oct 25 2006

Dominio Eukarya Reino Plantae División Anthophyta Clase Monocotyledonaceae Orden Graminales Familia Potampgetonaceae Género Phyllospadix Especie scouleri Nombre común: Hierba de la resaca

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