HOW TO KNOW THE SEAWEEDS 



Fig. 242. Thalassia testu- 

 dinum Koenig & Sims 



(Turtle Grass), X 0.6. 



This plant occurs in 

 vast submarine fields 

 around the Florida coasts, 

 from near low tide level 

 to as much as 35 feet. So 

 abundant is it that in 

 many places the leaves 

 are washed ashore in suf- 

 ficient quantities to be 

 gathered for fertilizer. The 

 rich vegetation of these 

 marine meadows provide 

 abundant food for marine 

 animals, and in former 

 times supported enorm- 

 ous numbers of sea tur- 

 tles. The broad, strap- 

 hke leaves distinguish it 

 from the other marine 

 seed plants of the Florida 

 area. It occurs outside 

 the range of Zostera, so 

 need not be confused with 

 that plant. 



Figure 242 



183 



