Zostera japonica

Ascherson & Graebner in H. G. A. Engler

in H. G. A. Engler,Das Pflanzenreich 31[IV,11]: 32. 1907.

Introduced
Synonyms: Zostera americana Hartog
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 22.

Herbs, annual, rarely perennial. Rhizomes 0.5–1.5 mm thick; roots 2 at each node. Leaves: sheath open, persistent, 3–5.5 cm, membranous flaps 2; blade to 15 cm × 1–1.5 mm, apex obtuse or retuse; veins 3. Generative shoots lateral, mostly unbranched, with 1–5 spathes. Inflorescence: peduncles with adnate portion 20–90 mm, free portion 1.2–3.1 cm; spathes 2–5, sheath 2–4 cm × 2–2.5 mm; blade 5–10 cm; spadix lanceolate; staminate flowers 5–7; pistillate flowers 5–8, apex obtuse. Staminate flowers: bracts subtending every flower; pollen-sacs 0.5 × 0.7 mm. Pistillate flowers: ovary 1.5–2 mm; style 1–2 mm. Fruits ellipsoid, 2.5 mm, beaked.


Phenology: Flowering early fall.
Habitat: Intertidal marine waters
Elevation: -2–0 m

Distribution

V22 613-distribution-map.jpg

Introduced; B.C., Wash., Asia

Discussion

The name Zostera americana was proposed for some of the collections by Neil Hotchkiss from Pacific County, Washington (C. den Hartog 1970). Because Z. americana resembled a previously published species, it was suggested the name should be placed in synonymy, at least until further study could be undertaken of at least the ecology and genetics of the complex (R. C. Phillips and R. F. Shaw 1976; P. G. Harrison 1976). A proposal that Z. americana was synonymous with Z. noltii was based upon the identical or overlapping ranges of most characteristics (R. C. Phillips and R. F. Shaw 1976). Zostera noltii is native to the Atlantic coasts of Europe and Africa and to the Mediterranean Sea area. Therefore, the suggestion implies that Z. noltii has been introduced into North America. No mode of introduction was discussed, however.

Similarly P. G. Harrison (1976) suggested an introduction of an exotic species, but he suggested Zostera japonica instead. A study of populations of Z. americana from Boundary Bay, south of Vancouver, British Columbia revealed no obvious differences between those plants and individuals of Z. japonica and Z. noltii. A comparison of the British Columbia specimens with illustrations by C. den Hartog (1970) of both Z. japonica and Z. noltii indicated the British Columbia plants resembled more the illustrations of Z. japonica than those of Z. noltii. A discussion of possible modes of introduction noted that a brown alga, Sargassum muticum, was introduced into the North American Pacific coast area with seed oysters. Zostera japonica occurs in areas where the oysters were obtained in Japan, and oysters were packed in Zostera species during shipment. Such shipments were possibly the means by which the species was introduced into North America. Harrison’s explanation is quite plausible, and I am accepting it until further research solves the problem.

Lower Taxa

None.

"not elongating" is not a number.

... more about "Zostera japonica"
obtuse;retuse;obtuse +
Robert R. Haynes +
Ascherson & Graebner in H. G. A. Engler +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (15 cm150 mm <br />0.15 m <br />) +
denticulate +  and entire +
5 cm50 mm <br />0.05 m <br /> (10 cm100 mm <br />0.1 m <br />) +
0.1 cm1 mm <br />0.001 m <br /> (0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br />) +
subtending +
B.C. +, Wash. +  and Asia +
-2–0 m +
membranous +
pistillate +  and staminate +
rudimentary +
ellipsoid +
2.5 cm25 mm <br />0.025 m <br /> (?) +
Intertidal marine waters +
terminal +  and axillary +
submersed +
scarious +
0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
orthotropous +  and pendulous +
not spiraling +
Flowering early fall. +
0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br /> (?) +
free +  and adnate +
1.2 cm12 mm <br />0.012 m <br /> (3.1 cm31 mm <br />0.031 m <br />) +
in H. G. A. Engler,Das Pflanzenreich +
bigley1982a +, harrison1976a +  and phillips1976a +
0.05 cm0.5 mm <br />5.0e-4 m <br /> (0.15 cm1.5 mm <br />0.0015 m <br />) +
auriculate +
persistent +
3 cm30 mm <br />0.03 m <br /> (5.5 cm55 mm <br />0.055 m <br />) +
2mm;2.5mm +
lanceolate +
2 +  and 5 +
Introduced +
0.1 cm1 mm <br />0.001 m <br /> (0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br />) +
Zostera americana +
Zostera japonica +
species +
perennial +  and annual +