10 weirdest underwater plants ever discovered

10 weirdest underwater plants ever discovered

With new advances in the biological sector, scientists are able to reach a number of unexplored places on our planet. Earlier, they only believed that life was not only restricted to land but that it also extended to the sea. Today, with new discoveries coming up almost every day, they know that the sea is a whole wide world of its own! Not only do plants thriving on land support livelihood, but can also uphold life under the deep sea waters. There are numerous ecosystems underwater that we need to know about!

Let’s have a look at the ten weirdest underwater plants ever to humanity:

  1. Green Sea Anemone
Image: Wikipedia

Holding a high resemblance to the terrestrial Anastasia flower which is a kind of spider chrysanthemum, the green sea anemone is one of the strangest underwater plants ever discovered on the sea bed. This plant lives in a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic life forms that usually breed in its tissues. It is because of this reason that the green sea anemone has a vibrant green color, making it look glamourous. Just how other types of anemones attach themselves to coral reefs, rocks, and other hard surfaces, waiting in search for fish to unknowingly swim into its pricking tentacles.

2.Sun Coral

Image: Reef Builders

Second, on the list of the creepiest underwater plants ever known to us is the Sun Coral. Notwithstanding its own name, this type of coral species can thrive without taking up a lot of sunlight. Usually, sun coral is found well deep under the water, and build their houses in the darkest of the areas including caves. But then how exactly do they look as bright as the sun in the sea world? Well, the reason for this is their dependence on zooplankton, from which they get all their energy. They are also responsible for setting up everlasting digs in the Caribbean.

3. Open Brain Coral

Image: Reef Builders

Open Brain Coral is mainly located in the warm and shallow waters of the famous Red Sea, the Australian archipelago as well as Indonesia. Although small in size and measuring up to eight inches, this stony coral species is known to either living lonely forever or becoming dependent on other organisms. Earlier, open brain coral was easily found in the deep waters, living just like any free-living corals. Today, they are on the verge of extinction because of the diminishing coral reef habitat. The perpetual reduction of the open brain corals is a consequence of the increasing harvesting for aquariums. Due to its distinct looks, this is one of the weirdest underwater creatures that might give you a nightmare.

4. White-Plumed Anemone

The sea world is full of sea anemones, with over 1,000 of its species floating around freely. These pretty little creatures are some of the most beautiful organisms one can ever encounter in their life. Anemones are found in a variety of shapes and awestruck bright colors. The White-plumed anemone is most widely found in the cold waters of Alaska and others including San Diego. They can grow up to three feet tall. These anemones use their soft pouf in stinging as well as catching hold of their prey that is the fish!

5. Kelp

Image: Tech Explore

Resembling a flush green forest, Kelp is one of the most commonly found plants underwater. They usually appear in distinct shapes and sizes and are very rich in nutrients. The way they gather on the seashore is totally distinct from the kind of life they have deep in water. Kelp is a form of algae and has the ability to grow to almost 18 inches every day. These plants can’t really thrive in warm waters. It is of no surprise that the world underwater is a world of its own, and with the discovery of kelp in 2007, scientists were convinced with the fact that a lot needs to be explored!

6. Purple Coral

Image: Hydra Corals

Next up on our list of the weirdest underwater plants, have the vibrant looking purple corals. Not only are they beautiful in the sense of looking attractive with their lilac purple color, but are also available in plenty in the deep waters. With a rare color like that of purple, this coral can be easily spotted in the ocean. Also, they are known to support fishes and sea life by providing them a habitat. Whenever a new reef is being built, the purple corals are the first ones to appear and spread themselves in order to give life and homes to other organisms.

7. Posidonia Oceanica

Image: Wikipedia

Widely found in the Australian marine waters and the Mediterranean Sea, Posidonia Oceanica is a type of flowering plant. It is generally referred to as seagrass and tends to only thrive in clean and unpolluted water bodies. Also, it can be spotted almost everywhere in such waters. Posidonia Oceanica is pivotal to providing oxygen to the coastal waters. And it is for this reason that is known as the “Lungs of the Mediterranean”. This plant gives us natural phenols, chalkones, 5-alpha cholestanes, phennylmethanne derivatives as well as flavonols. They can be summed up as an indicator of the overall quality of the coastal waters.

8. Red Sea Whip

Image: WWF Australia

Red Sea Whip is a bushy yet soft coral species that is located deep under the sea waters. They belong to the family Ellisellidae. Every branch of the red sea whip is home to innumerable coral polyps, which are little tubes fringed along with tentacles. These small tentacles hold the responsibility of gathering and bringing in the food. These soft corals lack the calcium carbonate skeletons that are easily found in the hard ones. Red sea whip is widely found in shallow waters of the tropical and subtropical regions found across the globe.

9. Soft Coral

Image: Photos.com

Part of a diverse ecosystem of numerous organisms, these soft corals add a beautifying factor to all of the sea life. With their bright and vibrant colors, these creatures tend to make the underwater world a place to see! The feathery soft corals belong to the Octocorallia subclass and are available in a wide range of shapes and sizes. They have the ability to grow both in shallow as well as deep tropical water. Today, the coral reefs are in great danger as a consequence of pollution, global warming, and overfishing.

10. Watermilfolis

Image: Dreamstime.com

Last but not the least, Watermilfolis is a genus that comprises roughly 69 aquatic plant species. Due to their bushy appearance, they always make for a top choice in the aquarium industry. Such hydra plants always remain in high demand for their beauty. The genus Myriophyllum belongs to the family Haloragaceae and is usually grown in pools and aquariums. They can be widely found in Australia and parts of the USA. Water milfoil is mostly located in freshwater sources. Their wide range of species displays distinct characteristics.

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