Halophila ovalis
Plants
Halophila ovalis (Johnson's Seagrass, Spoon Seagrass, Paddle Weed) is a subtropical-tropical marine seagrass with a wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific and isolated, introduced populations in Florida, Antigua and Cuba. The Florida population was noticed in the late 1950s in the Indian River Lagoon, and formally described as a distinct species (Halophila johnsoni Eiseman 1980), with a limited range (Indian River Lagoon to Biscayne Bay, ~!200 km), although its similarity to the Indo-Pacific H. ovalis was noted. Because of its limited range, and restricted reproduction (asexual only). H. johnsoni was designated as a Threatened Species in 1998. However, genetic studies indicated that Florida populations were genetically identical to Indo-Pacific populations, and in April 2022, it was delisted. So far, H. ovalis has a limited range in Florida, and no reported impacts.