eelgrass

[ eel-gras, -grahs ]

noun

1. a grasslike marine plant, Zostera marina, having ribbonlike leaves.
2. tape grass.

eelgrass

/ ˈiːlˌɡrɑːs /

noun

1. any of several perennial submerged marine plants of the genus Zostera, esp Z. marina, having grasslike leaves: family Zosteraceae
2. another name for tape grass

Word History and Origins

Origin of eelgrass¹

An Americanism dating back to 1780–90; eel + grass

Example Sentences

An algal bloom in the area had caused a decline in the eelgrass beds that provide them with food, but the local community restored the habitat, resulting in more manatees being recorded than ever before.

From BBC

Be careful not to walk on eelgrass — which juvenile salmon use to hide — and know that turning over a rock could mean ruining a crab’s lifelong home.

From Seattle Times

Traditionally, eelgrass and seaweeds struggle in ice-filled waters because the ice reduces sunlight availability and grinds and damages their tissues.

From Science Daily

Solomon, Kinley recalled, would paddle his canoe to Xwe’chi’eXen to jig for skinny, silvery herring flitting around lush bull kelp and eelgrass forests waving in the deep blue waters.

From Seattle Times

DeCaterina himself is passionate about eelgrass and substrates, but he says the shift has been a group decision — Leitman included, of course.

From Seattle Times