Halophila
Halophila is a genus of seagrasses in the family Hydrocharitaceae, the tape-grasses. It was described as a genus in 1806. The number of its contained species, and its own placement in the order Alismatales, has evolved.
Description
These oceanic herbs grow underwater and have creeping stoloniferous stems and leafy nodes. Unlike other seagrasses, the leaves of some species of Halophila do not have basal sheaths.The flowers are unisexual. The male flowers are borne on stems. The parts occur in multiples of three along a single row.
The female flowers do not have stalks. They are divided into three segments. The single chambered ovary has a long beak. The three style are long and simple. The ovules are attached on top of three placentas.
The fruit is included in the bract surrounding the inflorescence and crowned by a beak. They have many seeds and thick embryos.
Distribution
This genus is widespread in tropical waters, the distribution range also extends to subtropical and temperate waters primarily the Indian and Pacific Oceans but also the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas and the Gulf of Mexico. It is found growing off the coasts of Africa, India, Australia and the Pacific Islands.Naming
The Latin specific epithet halophila refers to salt loving.Species
Species accepted by the Kew Botanical Garden.Halophila australis - southern Australia- Halophila baillonii - Caribbean, North and South AmericaHalophila beccarii - South + East + Southeast AsiaHalophila capricorni - New Caledonia, islands in Coral SeaHalophila decipiens - shores of Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean; Caribbean, Gulf of MexicoHalophila engelmannii - Mexico, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Cuba, United States Halophila gaudichaudii - Indian Ocean, western PacificHalophila hawaiiana - HawaiiHalophila major - Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Caroline Is, Sri LankaHalophila mikii - JapanHalophila minor - Indian Ocean, western PacificHalophila nipponica - Korea, JapanHalophila okinawensis - Nansei-shotoHalophila ovalis - Red Sea, Indian Ocean, western PacificHalophila spinulosa - Southeast Asia, North Australia, New GuineaHalophila stipulacea - Red Sea, Indian Ocean, invasive in the CaribbeanHalophila sulawesii - SulawesiHalophila tricostata - Queensland