Beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) with roots extracted from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015Buccaferrea maritima, Ruppia andina, Ruppia brachypus, Ruppia brevipes, Ruppia cirrhosa, Ruppia curvicarpa, Ruppia intermedia, Ruppia obliqua, Ruppia pectinata, Ruppia rostellata, Ruppia salina, Ruppia spiralis, Ruppia subsessilis, Ruppia taquetii, Ruppia transsilvanica, Ruppia trichodes, Ruppia zosteroides, Zannichellia pedunculata
Beaked tasselweed, ditch-grass, ditchgrass, tassel pondweed, widgeongrass
Ruppia maritima is a species of aquatic plant known by the common names widgeongrass, ditch-grass and tassel pondweed. Despite its Latin name, it is not a marine plant; is perhaps best described as a salt-tolerant freshwater species. The generic name Ruppia was dedicated by Linnaeus to the German botanist Heinrich Bernhard Ruppius (1689-1719) and the specific name (maritima) translates to "of the sea".
Ruppia maritima, also known as beaked tasselweed or wigeon grass, is a submerged aquatic plant that grows in salty and brackish waters. In Qatar, it has been found in coastal areas, including mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and shallow waters of the Arabian Gulf. Studies have reported its presence in locations such as Al Thakhira, Al Khor, and Ras Umm Sa'id, where it forms dense beds and provides habitat for marine life. The plant is adapted to survive in high-salinity environments and can tolerate a range of water temperatures, making it a common component of Qatar's coastal ecosystems.
Beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) with roots extracted from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015
Beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015
Narrow leaves of beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015
Roots of beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015
Clump of beaked tasselweed (widgeongrass, Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla wastewater treatment ponds. Doha, Qatar, February 27, 2015
Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) with flowers in Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Stand of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) in Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Dense stand of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) in Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Fruits and a flower of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Membranous sheath with a flower(?) of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Close up of pea shaped fruits of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Close up of membranous sheath of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Cluster of fruits of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Close up of pea shaped fruits (drupelets) of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015
Close up of membranous sheath with coiled stalk (peduncle) bearing flowers and fruits of aquatic plant Widgeon Grass (Ruppia maritima) taken from Abu Nakhla jail ponds (sewage lagoons). Qatar, April 18, 2015Observations of Ruppia maritima in Qatar revealed that the plant has narrow leaves and a clumping growth habit. The roots of the plant were extracted from wastewater treatment ponds, indicating its ability to thrive in such environments. In April, the plant was found to be in flower, with membranous sheaths bearing pea-shaped fruits (drupelets). Close-up observations showed that the fruits were clustered together and had a coiled stalk (peduncle) bearing flowers and fruits. The plant formed dense stands in the sewage lagoons, suggesting its ability to tolerate and thrive in polluted water conditions. Overall, Ruppia maritima appears to be a hardy and adaptable species capable of growing in a variety of aquatic environments in Qatar. Its growth habit and reproductive structures were observed in detail, providing insight into its biology and ecology.
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QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.