Tag: Marine plants

Despite covering only 0.2% of the ocean floor, seagrass meadows are responsible for over 10% of all carbon stored in ocean sediments annually. These vital marine flowering plants prompt a key question for coastal communities and environmentalists alike: Is sea grass healthy, both for human consumption and for the health of the larger marine ecosystem?

Over centuries, the large, heart-shaped seeds of the *Entada gigas* vine have washed ashore worldwide, becoming cherished tokens of good luck for beachcombers. However, a persistent and dangerous misunderstanding exists, as many people mistakenly wonder, "Can you eat sea heart beans?" The answer is a definitive no, as these hard seeds are toxic when unprocessed and should never be consumed.

Despite being a flowering marine plant, seagrass contains a high concentration of cellulose that is indigestible to humans. While the leaves are not suitable for our diet, the question of 'can you eat seagrass?' reveals a more complex answer that includes historical foraging practices and the edibility of specific parts.