Manatee-grass

Stems erect, subtended by ovate scales. Leaves 2--3; blade terete or semi-terete, apex acute to obtuse, lacunae 2; veins 1--2[--7--10], midrib inconspicuous, not obviously widened distally, lateral veins inconspicuous, not ending in tooth. Inflorescences cymose. Flowers axillary to bract, inflated sheath present. Staminate flowers: anthers attached at same height on axis. Pistillate flowers sessile, styles divided into 2 long stigmas. Fruits drupaceous, obovoid [ellipsoid], quadrangular in cross section.

Species 2 (1 in the flora): warm oceanic waters of both hemispheres.

SELECTED REFERENCES

Cox, P. A., T. Elmqvist, and P. B. Tomlinson. 1990. Submarine pollination and reproductive morphology in Syringodium filiforme (Cymodoceaceae). Biotropica 22: 259--265. Tomlinson, P. B. and U. Posluszny. 1978. Aspects of floral morphology and development in the seagrass Syringodium filiforme (Cymodoceaceae). Bot. Gaz. 139: 333--345.

Lower Taxon

• Syringodium filiforme Kutzing