Amphibolis antarctica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amphibolis antarctica |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amphibolis
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| Species: |
antarctica
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| Synonyms | |
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Amphibolis bicornis C.Agardh |
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Amphibolis antarctica is a special kind of flowering plant. It belongs to a group called Cymodoceaceae. People often call it wire weed or sea nymph. This plant is a type of seagrass. You can find it growing in the ocean along the coasts of southern and western Australia.
What Does It Look Like?
Amphibolis antarctica is a plant that lives for many years. It can grow up to 80 centimeters tall. That's about the height of a small child! Its leaves are shorter than those of its cousin, Amphibolis griffithii. This plant has green flowers. You can see these flowers from September to February.
Where Does It Live?
This seagrass is found in the coastal waters of southern and western Australia. It grows from Exmouth Gulf in Western Australia. You can find it all the way south along the west coast. It also grows east along the south coast. Its range extends as far as Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. There is even one record of it far north-east of Exmouth Gulf.
Its Ocean Home
Amphibolis antarctica usually lives in the sublittoral zone. This is the part of the ocean floor that is always covered by water. It forms large underwater "meadows." These meadows can be as deep as 27 meters. However, they are not often found below 13 meters.
It can also grow in very shallow water. Sometimes its leaves even float on the surface. But this can cause the leaves to get damaged. This plant is very tough. It can live in many different places. It grows on sand-covered rocks, gravel, sand, and clay. It can also grow where the water moves fast or slow. It even tolerates very salty water.
