Eel Grass (Zostera marina)

Family: Zosteraceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Zostera marina is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Water. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Roots/Tubers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet, they were often used as a feast food by the native North American Indians. — Leaves - raw or cooked.; The leaf bases are crisp and sweet, they were often used as a feast food by the native North American Indians.; No more details are given.; The root of the plant is chewed for its saccharine juice.

Habitat & North American Range

Fine gravel, sand or mud in the sea from low water spring tides down to depths of 4 metres. It is rarely found in estuaries. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)