Plants
Plants are important in the underwater world around Scilly. Seagrass is unusual because it is a type of flowering plant which can reproduce underwater – it has waterproof pollen!
Most other marine plants are much more primitive, these are the algae. Algae have no roots; instead they attach themselves to rocks or other algae or animals using a holdfast. In the clear waters of Scilly, algae can grow at a depth of over 30m.
There are some rare species of algae in Scilly including a type of kelp which normally lives further south. Kelp forests provide a three dimensional habitat for many species of fish and invertebrates.
Podcasts:
Rob Spray, Seasearch coordinator Talks to Jaclyn Pearson about seaweed. 1.12MB
Juliet Brodie from the Natural History Museum Talks to Jaclyn Pearson about her research and makeshift lab at the Woolpack Volunteer Centre. 3MB
Fergus the forager Talks to Jaclyn Pearson about foraging for food and a meal made out of seaweed. 1.63MB
