Surfgrass (Phyllospadix spp.)

Description: There are three species of surfgrass found in Oregon – Scouler’s surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri), Serrulated surfgrass (Phyllospadix serrulatus), and Torrey’s surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi). The leaf blades are bright green and narrow. Scouler’s surfgrass is the most thin at 0.5 cm wide and can get up to 2 m long. It’s most easily identified by the 3 veins down each blade. Serrulated surfgrass has veins like Scouler’s surfgrass but has 5-7 veins on each blade. The blades may also be branched and slightly wider at 0.8 cm wide. They are the shortest of the three species, at only 1 m long. The tell-tale sign that it’s a serrulated surfgrass is the serrated edges, they may be hard to see but that can be felt. Torrey’s surfgrass is the longest and widest at 3 m long and 1.5 cm wide. They are much more circular in cross-section, though, giving them a wiry look.

Habitat: Rhizome attaches to rocks in the low intertidal and shallow (1.5 m) subtidal. They range from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico and are most often found on exposed shorelines. Serrulated surfgrass has a shorter range only from Alaska through Oregon.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Like eelgrass, surfgrass also provides important habitat to many critters both for food and habitat.

• Surfgrass rhizomes are sweet and were traditionally eaten fresh or dried.

Reference: The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept