Posidonia robertsoniae

Posidonia robertsoniae is one of the seagrasses of Western Australia, submerged flowering plants that occurs in the southern coastal waters.

Posidonia robertsoniae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Posidoniaceae
Genus: Posidonia
Species:
P. robertsoniae
Binomial name
Posidonia robertsoniae
Cambridge and J.Kuo

Description

A species of Posidonia, submerged flowering plants found in mediterraean climates. A perennial rhizomatous herb that appears as stands in marine habitat. This species is found at depths from 0.5 to 20 metres on white sands, in coastal waters that may be sheltered or subject to intense wave action. The habit of Posidonia robertsoniae is as a clumping stand, it is rhizomatous plant that puts out shoots with one or two leaves. The leaf blades are 2.5 to 4 millimetres wide, and 1.5 metres long. They are slightly leathery and uneven on the upper surfaces. Between 6 and 9 veins appear on each leaf. The flowering period is primarily during the months of August and September.

Distribution

Posidonia robertsoniae is recorded at coasts of Southwest Australia, from Warnbro Sound to Israelite Bay.

Taxonomy

This species is contained by the Posidoniaceae family, one of eight occurring in southern Australia. The ninth member, Posidonia oceanica, is found in the Mediterranean sea. The species was first described in Aquatic Botany in 1984, based on a holotype collected at King George Sound in 1981.[1] Several related species within Posidonia are described as the Posidonia ostenfeldii complex, a group that may be in need of revision. The species Posidonia coriacea, which occurs in a wider distribution range, and this one may not be distinct, both lack evidence of genetic variation. The differing morphology of these species may be subject to environmental influence and their characters can overlap.[2]

References
  1. Kuo, J. & Cambridge, M.L. (1984) Aquatic Botany: 281, figs 3, 8a, 14, 22, 28, 32, 34a, 35b, 37c, 38c. Type: "HOLOTYPE: Western Australia, King George Sound, Albany, 8 m deep, 22 Dec., 1981, M.L. Cambridge & H.Kirkman
  2. Campey, M. L.; Waycott M.; Kendrick G. A. (January 2000). "Re-evaluating species boundaries among members of the Posidonia ostenfeldii species complex (Posidoniaceae) - morphological and genetic variation". Aquatic Botany. 66 (1): 41–56(16) Research article. doi:10.1016/S0304-3770(99)00015-7.
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