[2] It is referred to by the common names star grass and Engelmann's seagrass and grows underwater on shallow sandy or muddy sea floors.

Halophila is the only genus of seagrass lacking basal sheaths on the leaf stems.

Like other seagrasses, Halophila engelmannii has rhizomes that run along near the surface of sand or mud, with roots at the nodes to anchor them in place.

[3] Halophila engelmannii is found on the coasts of Florida, Texas, the Bahamas, Cuba and the West Indies.

The seagrass meadow acts as habitat and food source for many invertebrates and fish.