Eelgrass, Wild Celery

(Vallisneria americana)

Native

Eelgrass has long ribbon-like leaves with very distinctive veins like that of celery.

Description

Eelgrass is a submerged plant with leaves that are grouped at the base, growing directly from the root. The leaves are straight and thin, ribbon-like, and are about three-fourths of an inch wide and can grow to four feet in length. Eelgrass leaves have serrated edges, an obvious stripe in the middle, and a consistency like cellophane. Tiny white flowers sometimes float on the water. Eelgrass has horizontal creeping rhizomes that have multiple clusters of leaves. This plant oftentimes forms underwater meadows.

Location

Eelgrass is found across most of the United States.

Propagation

Rhizomes, fragments