Herb: Eel Grass


Latin name: Zostera marina


Family: Zosteraceae (Eel-Grass Family)



Medicinal use of Eel Grass:

The leaves are used in the treatment of dropsy, goitre and women's illnesses.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Perennial


Height:
100 cm
(3 1/4 foot)

Flowering:
June to
September

Habitat of the herb:

Fine gravel, sand or mud in the sea from low water spring tides down to depths of 4 metres. It is rarely found in estuaries.

Edible parts of Eel Grass:

Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaf bases are crisp and sweet, they were often used as a feast food by the native North American Indians. Seed. No more details are given. The root of the plant is chewed for its saccharine juice. The root is crisp and sweet, it was used as a flavouring by the native North American Indians and was also dried for winter food. The raw rhizomes were often used as a feast food.

Other uses of the herb:

The dried leaves and stems are used as a packing material. The plant is frequently used as a manure.

Propagation of Eel Grass:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Division.

Cultivation of the herb:

Fine gravel, sand or mud in the sea from low water spring tides down to depths of 4 metres. It is rarely found in estuaries.

Known hazards of Zostera marina:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.