Below you can learn more about seagrass including where it grows, how seagrass is produced and processed, the impact on the environment and a general history of seagrass.
Structure
Habitat
Varieties
Production
Processing Methods
Applications
Environmental Impact
History
Natural Structure - Seagrass
Seagrasses are flowering plants that have adapted to living completely submerged in water. Growing from horizontal underground stems, or rhizomes, seagrass leaves push up vertically and can reach heights of several metres depending on species and surrounding conditions.
Though not as fibrous as terrestrial plants, seagrass is known for its natural suppleness and durability that makes it ideal for woven products such as seagrass rugs and other home furnishings.
Habitat
Seagrass can be found growing in varying densities throughout the world's shallow coastal waters wherever it is able to absorb sunlight for energy and draw nutrients from its marine environment.
Seagrass Varieties
Though studies suggest there may yet be undiscovered seagrasses to find, scientists have classified over 60 known species of seagrass, several of which are considered to be of the high quality required for making seagrass rugs.
Seagrass Production
Seagrass is sometimes seen as a global commodity, but to ensure the long-term sustainability of the world's seagrass meadows.
China has emerged as a major producer of the highest quality seagrass grown in flooded paddy fields.
Seagrass Processing
Quality is at the core of seagrass production, with only the finest fibres making the grade. Once harvested seagrass is dried and then spun into a strong yarn ready for weaving. This simple process ensures the integrity of the seagrass fibre thus reducing waste from potentially more industrial methods of production.
Natural impurities that often occur between seagrass fibres are not extracted but rather left to add to the overall textural feel of final weave.
The dry fibres can then be combed free of impurities and graded according to intended usage.
Applications
Seagrass has a rich tradition in a number of industries and has been used to thatch roofs for centuries.The tough, hard-wearing seagrass fibre is also a favourite for creating beautifully crafted home furnishings including the high quality seagrass rugs available today.
Environmental Impact
Seagrass meadows are carefully monitored by a number of organisations to maximise their potential and long-term sustainability.
A changing global climate is perhaps the biggest threat to seagrass beds, but careful research coupled with a responsible attitude to harvesting and replanting should help minimise the risk to the future of this most useful of natural fibre resources.
History of Seagrass
A truly prehistoric plant family, seagrass fossils have been found that date back more than 100 million years.
Back to top
|
