“OBLIGATE” ALGAL EPIPHYTE: SMITHORA NAIADUM GROWS ON A SYNTHETIC SUBSTRATE 1

The supposedly obligate epiphyte Smithora naiadum, normally found only on the sea grasses Phyllospadix scouleri and Zostera marina, grew on an artificial substrate under field conditions. This development shows that the alga does not appear to require a chemical factor from its normal host plant for (1) substrate selection and adhesion, (2) growth of basal cushion and young blades, or (3) maturation of thick cushions.