Mediterranean tapeweed
Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile
Posidonia oceanica, known as Mediterranean tapeweed, is a seagrass species endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It forms extensive underwater meadows and is part of the Posidoniaceae family. The plant produces free-floating fruits and fibrous Neptune balls that wash ashore.
Description
Posidonia oceanica, a member of the genus Posidonia, is found in the Mediterranean Sea and forms large underwater meadows. The species is known for its free-floating fruits and fibrous Neptune balls, which are referred to as egagropili. It is distributed across the Mediterranean region and was first described in 1813.
Other common names
Mediterranean tapeweedNeptune GrassSpecies code: Po
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic Ocean · Europe & Northern Asia (excluding China) · Global · conterminous 48 United States · Albania · Algeria · Baleares · Corse · Cyprus · East Aegean Is. · Egypt · France · Greece · Italy · Kriti · Libya · Morocco · Sardegna · Sicilia · Sinai · Spain · Tunisia · Turkey-in-Europe · Turkey · Yugoslavia
Synonyms
Aegle fragilisAlga oceanicaCaulinia oceanicaKernera oceanicaPosidonia cauliniTaenidium acuminatumTaenidium oceanicumZostera oceanica