Eelgrass

eelgrass, (genus Zostera), genus of about 15 species of marine plants of the family Zosteraceae. Found in temperate and subtropical climates around the world, these species grow in intertidal and subtidal portions of coastal areas. They provide food and habitat for a wide range of marine organisms and are important as a protective intermediary habitat for young fish before they venture into deeper waters. Historically, common eelgrass (Zostera marina) was an important tidewater plant whose dried leaves were used for packing glass articles and for stuffing cushions.