elkhornsloughnerr's Identifications

“The sole member of its genus, it is unusual for having spined antler-like projections on its gill covers; it can raise the projections as a defense mechanism.” (Wikipedia). These barbs were very sharp when I picked him up! At Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Native, seagrass with long flat blades and roots that grow in the mud. Habitat: quiet bays with muddy bottom and estuaries.

Beachcombers's Guide to Seashore Life of California, J.D. Sept, Rev. ed. 2009, p. 253.

Jepson eFlora https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=48950

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COMPARISON OF 2 Seagrasses (Family Zosteraceae)

Scouler's Surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri) COMPARED TO Torrey's surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi)

"P. torreyi is like mermaids hair, P. scouleri is like mermaids ribbons :-)" (credit: INat hkibak)

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Scouler's Surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri) is a native, flowering marine plant in the Seagrasses (Zosteraceae) family. Leaf blades are long, dark green, slender, "ribbon-like" (but wider than Torrey's surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi) which is also found in Monterey Bay, but has "hair-like" leaf blades). Scouler's Surfgrass is exposed during low tide and is submerged at high tide. It is found attached to rocks in the middle to low intertidal zones (compared to Eelgrass which grows in mud). It is home to Sea Snails and other creatures that live on the blades.
Flower comparison: These Seagrasses have a pistillate inflorescence. "If the flowers are down within a few inches of the base, it is P. scouleri. It helps if the leaves are flat and wide. If the flowers are far from the base, it is P. torreyi." (INat hkibak)

"P. torreyi is like mermaids hair, P. scouleri is like mermaids ribbons :-)" (credit: INat hkibak)
Link to confirmed observation of flowering Scouler's Surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141653355

Jepson eFlora with botanical illustration comparing the 2 Seagrasses: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=37989

SEANET Hopkins Marine Station for "Nearshore Plants and Animals of the Monterey Bay" https://seanet.stanford.edu/Seagrasses#Phyllospadix

Beachcombers's Guide to Seashore Life of California, J.D. Sept, Rev. ed. 2009, p. 253.

Pacific Seaweed: a Guide to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast. 2nd ed. Druehl and Bridgette E. Clarkston, p. 46-48.

Light & Smith Manual (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292702657_The_Light_Smith_Manual_Intertidal_invertebrates_from_Central_California_to_Oregon_4th_edition) https://www.researchgate.net/search?q=Phyllospadix%20scouleri

Field Guide to Seaweeds of the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Bridgette Clarkston, Harbour Publishing, 2015

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COMPARED TO

Torrey's surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi) is a native, flowering marine plant in the Seagrasses (Zosteraceae) family. Leaf blades are long, dark green, and almost "hair-like" (compared to Scouler's Surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri), which is also found in Monterey Bay, but has wider, "ribbon-like" leaf blades). Peak flowering time: May-November. Torrey's surfgrass is found along the Pacific Coast of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and Baja California. It grows on rocky substrate in surf zones, intertidal, subtidal, and on exposed wet rocky shores.
Flower comparison: These Seagrasses have a pistillate inflorescence. "If the flowers are down within a few inches of the base, it is P. scouleri. It helps if the leaves are flat and wide. If the flowers are far from the base, it is P. torreyi." (INat hkibak)

"P. torreyi is like mermaids hair, P. scouleri is like mermaids ribbons :-)" (credit: INat hkibak)
Link to confirmed observations of Torrey's surfgrass (Phyllospadix torreyi): https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/139585168 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73655406 and fruiting and flowering: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96048796

Jepson eFlora with botanical illustration comparing the 2 Seagrasses: https://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=37991

Beachcombers's Guide to Seashore Life of California, J.D. Sept, Rev. ed. 2009, p. 253.

SEANET Hopkins Marine Station for "Nearshore Plants and Animals of the Monterey Bay" https://seanet.stanford.edu/ (species not listed)

Field Guide to Seaweeds of the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Bridgette Clarkston, Harbour Publishing, 2015

Gutweed
(Ulva intestinalis) Narrow flattened/wavy blades of neon-green Algae in high intertidal zone. U.intestinalis is a Green Alga in the family Ulvaceae, known by the common names sea lettuce, gutweed, and grass kelp.