Algae or Seagrass?
Along with phytoplankton, algae (seaweeds) and seagrasses form the basis of the food chain in the marine environment. Using energy from sunlight to make food, they are essential for a healthy ecosystem.
Use this simple comparison below or follow the links to discover more about algae and seagrasses.
Seagrass | Algae |
Stems | No true stems |
Leaves | No leaves |
Flowers (although can be difficult to see) | No flowers |
Fruit | No fruit |
Seeds | No seeds |
Roots | No roots |
Some form large underwater meadows | Some cling to rocks by a holdfast |
In This Section
- Classification and Identification
- Habitats
- Reference Books
Related Resources
- Kingdom Plantae and Protista
- Poster: Secrets of Seagrass
- Article: Flowers of the Ocean: WA’s Expansive Seagrass Meadows
- Reference Books
Resource Sheets
- Kingdom Plantae and Protista
- Seagrasses
- Algae
- Fisheries Fact Sheet: Seagrasses
- Fisheries Fact Sheet: Algae