The nomenclature of the "algae" name of seagrasses in China

Seagrasses are epigeal angiosperms, whose flower, fructify and germinate are completely under the seawater. Seagrasses evolved from land plants, and adapted to marine environments. However, seagrasses, belonging to higher plants, are often taxonomically named as "algae" in China. There are 22 species of seagrasses belonging to 4 families and 10 genera in China, with the name of 16 species, 7 genera and 3 families as "algae" in their Chinese scientific name. Thus, people may confuse seagrasses and algae/ seaweeds, resulting in negative impacts on seagrass research, protection, and utilization. On the occasion of "The 11th International Seagrass Biology Workshop" held in China for the first time, the domestic experts of seagrass research discussed this issue. In order to promote the research and conservation of seagrasses, all the experts reach a consensus on unifying the Chinese scientific name of seagrass as "grass" instead of "algae". In addition, with intensive investigation of seagrass species and distribution in China in future, the newly discovered seagrass species should also be unified as the Chinese scientific name of "grass".