Halodule wrightii Ascherson. Shoal-grass. Phen: Jun-Sep. Hab: Submerged in estuarine waters up to about 2 m deep, especially in Core and Pamlico sounds (North Carolina). Dist: E. NC, se. SC (reported in 2021; not known from GA); FL west to TX, and south along shores of the Gulf of México and Caribbean; also on the Pacific coast of Panama and Nicaragua.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: Haynes in FNA (2000) concludes that H. beaudettei is not taxonomically distinct from H. wrightii (the older name). Seagrasses (an informal group including species such as Halodule wrightii, Zostera marina, and Ruppia maritima in our area) are very important components of estuarine ecosystems, providing a large proportion of the primary productivity in such systems and providing shelter and nursery grounds for fish, shrimp, and other marine life. An estimated 80,000 hectares of seagrass beds are found in Pamlico and Core sounds, NC, most of that area having Halodule as the co-dominant or dominant species (Ferguson, Rivera, & Wood 1989). There is concern about the destruction of seagrass beds by pollution, dredging of waterways, and mechanical disturbance by fishing boats (Koch & Orth 2003; Green & Short 2003).

Synonymy: = FNA22, K3, S, S13, WH3, Green & Short (2003); > Diplanthera wrightii (Asch.) Asch. – SFla; > Halodule beaudettei (Hartog) Hartog – GW1, K1, Meso6, RAB, Tx; > Halodule wrightii Asch. – Meso6

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
• Great Plains: OBL

Heliophily: 5