Reeflings
Phylum

Common name: Vascular Plants

Scientific name: Tracheophyta

Tracheophyta, commonly known as vascular plants, represent a diverse and extensive group of plants that are characterized by the presence of specialized vascular tissues: xylem and phloem. These tissues are crucial for the transport of water, nutrients, and sugars throughout the plant, allowing them to grow larger and inhabit a wide range of environments compared to non-vascular plants.

Vascular plants include a vast array of species ranging from towering trees to delicate ferns. They are divided into several groups including ferns, conifers, and flowering plants, each with unique features and adaptations. Flowering plants, or angiosperms, are the most diverse group within Tracheophyta, known for their flowers and fruit production, which facilitate reproduction and seed dispersal.

In the context of aquarium keeping, certain vascular plants like mangroves and seagrasses can be fascinating additions. Mangroves, for example, are often used in brackish and marine aquariums to create natural filtration systems and provide shelter for various aquatic species. Seagrasses, on the other hand, are essential in marine environments for stabilizing substrates and providing habitat and food for marine life.

Understanding the role of vascular plants in ecosystems is crucial for hobbyists looking to create balanced and thriving aquariums. These plants not only contribute to the aesthetic appeal of an aquarium but also play vital roles in nutrient cycling and providing oxygen through photosynthesis.

  1. Close-up of the Halophila seagrass. Camera moving forwards above seabed covered with green seagrass. Underwater landscape. Red sea, Egypt
    Common name: Fine sea grass
    Scientific name: Halodule uninervis
  2. Common name: Shoal Grass
    Scientific name: Halodule wrightii
  3. Sangy seabed covered with green seagrass. Underwater landscape with Halophila seagrass. Red sea, Egypt
    Common name: seagrass
    Scientific name: Halophila ovalis
  4. Common name: Species code: hn
    Scientific name: Halophila spinulosa
  5. Roots of white mangrove shrubs, Laguncularia racemosa
    Common name: white mangrove
    Scientific name: Laguncularia racemosa
  6. Red Mangroves in calm water
    Common name: Red Mangrove
    Scientific name: Rhizophora mangle
  7. Sea Grass
    Common name: manatee grass
    Scientific name: Syringodium filiforme
  8. Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum) off Florida Keys
    Common name: Turtle Grass
    Scientific name: Thalassia testudinum
  9. Sea Grass or Zostera marina
    Common name: common eel-grass
    Scientific name: Zostera marina
  10. Zostera noltei
    Common name: dwarf eelgrass
    Scientific name: Zostera noltii