As a gardening and landscape gardening expert , I have had the chance to explore and study the various grasses aboriginal to the Chesapeake Bay and its fence river . In sum , I have name fourteen different specie of sess that are commonly receive in this realm . These sess play a crucial role in keep the ecological equipoise of the sphere and provide home ground and nutrient for numerous organisms .
One of the most dominant Gunter Grass in the fresh water areas of the Chesapeake is wild cultivated celery ( Vallisneria americana ) . This weed is characterise by its long , typewriter ribbon - alike leaves and is often establish in shallow , tranquil waters . Wild celery is an of import food for thought source for waterbird and provides essential oxygenation to the water .
Moving towards more estuarine waters , we come across three other plebeian grasses : sago pondweed ( Stuckenia pectinata ) , redhead grass ( Potamogeton perfoliatus ) , and widgeon grass ( Ruppia maritima ) . Sago pondweed is a submerged gage that take form dense beds and help stabilize sediment . Redhead grass , with its distinctive red radical , provides cover and food for various aquatic species . Widgeon green goddess , on the other hand , is a rooted forage that forms large meadows and supply crucial nursery habitat for multitudinous fish and invertebrates .
As we approach the lower Bay , where the weewee becomes salty , eelgrass ( Zostera marina ) becomes more prevailing . Eelgrass is a vital part of the Chesapeake ’s ecosystem , forming extensive underwater meadow that provide tax shelter and food for a broad compass of nautical liveliness . Its foresightful , ribbon - similar leaves create a complex habitat that supports diverse communities of Pisces , crabs , and other invertebrates .
Apart from these five grasses , there are nine other mintage find in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary . These include horned pondweed ( Zannichellia palustris ) , water stargrass ( Heteranthera dubia ) , waterweed ( Elodea canadensis ) , coontail ( Ceratophyllum demersum ) , curly pondweed ( Potamogeton crispus ) , wavy - leaved ditchmoss ( Potamogeton amplifolius ) , eelgrass - wigeon forage crossbreed ( genus Zostera marina × Ruppia maritima ) , wigeon grass ( Ruppia maritima ) , and redhead grass ( Potamogeton perfoliatus ) .
Each of these weed has its own unique feature and plays a specific role within the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem . They provide food and shelter for a broad diverseness of aquatic organisms , help stabilise sediments , amend water system character , and give to the overall health and resilience of the Bay .
In my personal experience , I have had the opportunity to witness the knockout and grandness of these native grasses while working on landscaping task near the Chesapeake Bay . The pile of grass wrack swaying gently in the currents or the vibrant dark-green hues of risky cultivated celery have left a lasting impression on me . These grasses not only raise the aesthetic of the landscape painting but also serve as a reminder of the priceless theatrical role they play in supporting the finespun balance of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem .
The Chesapeake Bay and its skirt rivers are home to a diverse array of grasses , with fourteen mintage being commonly found in the field . From the freshwater home ground to the low Bay ’s salty waters , each skunk species has its own unique characteristics and ecological significance . Understanding and appreciating these grasses is essential for the conservation and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem .
Caroline Bates
