Irish Moss - Chondrus crispus

Habitat: lower intertidal zone

comments (5)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Very valuable, only the 5th red algae documented! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Awesome! Fun fact - This species is a source of carrageenan, which is a thickener in foods such as ice cream. People also eat this seaweed. But, personally, I find it to be gross. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Did not know that! Can't say I enjoy seaweed that is unprocessed either, it's like spinach without the taste and hard to chew. So basically not like spinach at all :) Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      More like seaweed maybe ;P Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Yes, very similar! Posted 6 years ago

The Irish moss

"Chondrus crispus" is a species of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coast of Europe and North America. In its fresh condition this protist is soft and cartilaginous, varying in color from a greenish-yellow, through red, to a dark purple or purplish-brown. The principal constituent is a mucilaginous body, made of the polysaccharide carrageenan, which constitutes 55% of its dry weight.

Info 14 0

Similar species: Gigartinales

Species identified by Christine Young