Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...

Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ... Beachcombers Field Guide - Department Of Fisheries Western ...

fish.wa.gov.au
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22.03.2013 Views

The fi bre ball comes from a seagrass called Posidonia or strapweed, which has ribbon-like leaves. The seagrass fi bre balls are formed when the leaves break off in winter storms and get tossed around by waves and currents. This causes the fi bre from the decaying leaves to tangle together. In the early 1900s, fi bre from strapweed was collected for its high cellulose content and was used in the manufacture of suits, explosives and household products. Fibre ball

Along with strapweed, wireweed is one of the more dominant forms of seagrass in the Perth region. Found throughout southern Australia, wireweed forms extensive beds in shallow sandy areas. Its woody stalks provide homes to epiphytes and invertebrates, such as bryozoans. There are only two species of wireweed found in the Perth region, both of which are found only in Australia. The southern wireweed (Amphibolis antarctica) has relatively short leaves that are generally slightly twisted, whereas Griffi th’s wireweed (A. griffi thii) has longer, straight leaves. Wireweed

The fi bre ball comes from a seagrass<br />

called Posidonia or strapweed, which<br />

has ribbon-like leaves. The seagrass fi bre<br />

balls are formed when the leaves break<br />

off in winter storms and get tossed around<br />

by waves and currents. This causes the<br />

fi bre from the decaying leaves to tangle<br />

together. In the early 1900s, fi bre from<br />

strapweed was collected for its high<br />

cellulose content and was used in the<br />

manufacture of suits, explosives<br />

and household products.<br />

Fibre ball

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