ABSTRACT-Phyllospadix torreyi S. Watson ('surfgrass') is one of very few seagrass species that grow on rocks. Thus, unlike most other seagrasses, nutrient uptake across leaves rather than across roots might b e very important for nutrient acquisition. Ammonlum and nitrate+nitrite uptake by surfgrass leaves was measured under flowing water and modelled (Michaelis-Menten) as a functlon of external concentrations. Leaf NH,' uptake showed a Km of 17.4 PM and a V, , , , , of 125.1 pm01 N g dry wt-' h-' Km and V, , , values for leaf NO3 +NO2-uptake were 10.1 pM and 54.5 pm01 N g dry wt.' h-', respectively. Ammonium available to the roots had little discernible effect on NH,' uptake by leaves Low NH,' uptake rates by roots (~0 . 2 pm01 N g dry wt.' h-'] suggest that surfgrass acquires most of its nitrogen via its leaves.