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seagrass lagoon index
  Online Guide to Chek Jawa
seagrass lagoon
 
Beccari's seagrass
Halophila beccarii
Family Hydrocharitaceae

Beccari's seagrass (Halophila beccarii) is the smallest seagrass found on Chek Jawa. It is considered a rare and uncommon seagrass. The leaves emerge in a rosette. On Chek Jawa, they are quite widespread.

Role in the habitat: In Hong Kong, a study suggests that beds of Beccari's seagrass are an important nursery for horseshoe crabs.

The first specimen of this seagrass was discovered in Sarawak by the intrepid Italian botanist-explorer, Odoardo Beccari and named after him.
   click for enlarged image
quick facts
Each tiny leaf 0.5cm long, sometimes seen in the seagrass lagoon, particularly on the edge of the lagoon near the northern arm of the sand bar.
 
See also ...
Seagrasses in general
Fern-like seagrass (Halophila spinulosa)
Spoon seagrasses (Halophila sp.)

Links
Halophila beccarii on the University of Hawai'i website: diagrams of the seagrass.
Distribution of Hong Kong seagrasses on the Porcupine Homepage of the Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong website: brief description of H. beccarii and its possible role as a nursery for horseshoe crabs.
 

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