Marine Plants and Algae
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Aquatic Plants
Division Magnoliophyta
Flowering Plants
- Number of Living Species: 230,000 (a fraction of a percent are marine).
- Common Characteristics of seagrasses & mangroves: marine plants with the same basic structure as terrestrial flowering plants; adapted to saline water; able to grow when submerged; anchoring system to withstand wave action and tidal currents; water-pollinated.
Algae
Division Chlorophyta
Green Algae
Number of Living Species: 9,000-12,000, about 10 percent marine.
Common Characteristics: contain chlorophylls a and b; starch stored inside chloroplast.
Division Chromophyta
Diatoms, Golden Algae, Brown Algae, Kelps
- Number of Living Species: 18,000, freshwater and marine.
- Common Characteristics: most contain chlorophyll a; carotenoids present; starch stored outside chloroplast.
From: Reef Life by Denise Nielsen Tackett
Marine BioGroups Plants and Algae families:
Marine Plants and Algae