Marine Plants Kingdom Plantae

Multicellular Algae Structure Lack leaves, stems and roots Body is called Thallus Blade is the flat leaf like structure Pneumatocyst are the gas-filled bladders that help it float Stipe is the stem like portion Holdfast anchors the plant to the bottom

All multicellular algae undergo photosynthesis Lack vascular tissue Leaves are different from land plants Economic importance Food, starch-like chemicals, emulsifier in dairy foods Reproduction Mostly asexual Fragments Spores Sexual Alternation of generations Male/ female

Types of Multicellular Algae Division Chlorophyta- Green algae 6000-7000 species 10% are marine Division Phaeophyta- Brown algae 1500 species, almost all are marine Yellow, olive green or dark brown Division Rhodophyta- Red algae 4000 species, only a few are freshwater

Angiosperms- Flowering Plants Classified by location Subtidal Estuary Intertidal supratidal

Subtidal- Sea grasses Eel grass Turtle grass Manatee grass Most widely distributed Bays and estuaries Turtle grass Muddy and sandy bottoms Calm water, moderately deep Manatee grass Western Atlantic

Eel Grass

Turtle Grass

Manatee Grass

Estuary- Salt Marsh Grasses Cord Grasses Land plants that are tolerant of salt Located above mud flats Roots get wet but tops stay dry Halophytes Along the mouth of the river

Cord Grasses

Halophytes

Intertidal- Mangroves Shrubs and trees adapted to live along tropical and subtropical shores Only roots are covered at high tide Mainly located in the Florida Keys Reproduction is unique Seeds germinate while attached to the parent tree

Mangroves

Mangrove Knees

Supratidal- Other flowering plants Sea Oats Hold the beach in place Primary dune plants Illegal to pick Morning glory Primary and secondary dune plants Sea rocket

Sea Oats

Morning Glory

Sea Rocket