Eel Grass

Eel Grass

[Zostera marina]

Family
Zosteraceae

Height
50-100 cm

Location and climate
Water plant growing on sandy coastlines of northern latitudes where the water level is low and the light is good. (Sea/salt water)

Usage
In the beginning of the 1900’s eel grass was commercially used as stuffing material inside furniture or mattresses and as insulation for buildings, but a fungus disease destroyed the crops of eel grass and after the 2. World War the eel grass was replaced with glass fiber for insulation or polyurethane for furniture. (foam mattresses)

To use eel grass in its dried form inside furniture still makes really good sense because the high salt level keeps the bugs away and is a great alternative to the PUR foam.

Eel grass is also a great insulation material, acoustic material and is used for thatching roofs.

When the eel grass washes up on the beach many species of insects inhabit the dead plant.

If you are looking for a great ground cover and fertilizer for your garden go collect the eel grass from the beach. Collect after rainy days or leave in the garden for the rain to wash off the salt before you use it.