Hydrochariticeae Family of Tape Grasses

Phylogeny:  The Tape Grasses and a member of the Hydrochariticeae Family of Tape Grasses. They are found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters. There are currently one hundred and thirty-five species in the Hydrochariticeae Family of which eight species are found along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and only one species is documented from Mexico’s West Coast. They are in the Class Magnoliopsida and the Order Alismatales.

Distribution:  Tape Grasses grow in sand and mud substrates. Most grow at shallow depths, with few growing deeper than 10 m (33 feet), though some reach depths of 90 m (295 feet).

Ecosystem Roles.  Tape Grasses are an import source of food and habitat for fish and other aquatic life. They are often used as decorative plants in aquariums. Some, such as Hydrilla, Hydrilla verticillata, are highly invasive and can displace native species, clog waterways, and disrupt water distribution systems. These invasive species can be very costly to eradicate once they are introduced.

Reproduction:   Hydrochariticeae are generally either male or female. The flowers grow at the water’s surface, where wind, insects, and water carry the pollen between plants. In some species, the male flowers break loose and drift until making contact with a female flower, and then exchange pollen.

Tape Grasses of the Hydrochariticeae Family are plants that do not lend themselves to the classic taxonomic groupings that animal do. Some botanists use a function- based system of classification rather than a strictly taxonomic system. Because the rest of this website uses the standard taxonomic based system, we will continue to use that system here. The Tape Grass Family is known as the Frog’s Bit Family and the Water Weed Family. They are flowering aquatic plants in the Phylum Tracheophyta. Tracheophytes, unlike Bryophytes, are vascular plants that have have tissues (phloem and xylem) that allow for the transport of water and nutrients within the plant via leaves, roots and stems. They have a cuticle (waxy layer to hold in water) and stomata (pores for gas exchange). Tracheophytes may either reproduce by seeds or spores. Tape Grasses are in the Class Magnoliopsida and are dicotyledonous. Dicots produce two seed leaves (the first leaves to emerge from a seed). Plants in this Class generally have branching veins in their leaves, and flowers petals in multiples of 4 or 5.

Plants in this Order grow in wetlands fresh water or marine habitats. They are highly variable in appearance, habitat, and reproduction. They may be annuals or perennials, growing in fresh or salt water. While their leaves may be basal or opposite, most of the time they are found in whorls or clusters, at various points along the stem. Their leaves are undivided and may have either parallel or branching veins. Often the leaf margins have minute spicules. The flowers have radial symmetry, and may be solitary or arranged in clusters. They may be completely submerged, grow erect or be floating. Their fruits are berry or capsule-like, and contain many seeds. Plants in this Family may only reach several centimeters in length, while other exceed 2.0 m (6 feet 6 inches) in length.