Laminaria

Laminaria is a genus of 31 species of brown algae commonly called "kelp". Some species are also referred to as tangle. This economically important genus is characterized by long, leathery laminae and relatively large size.

Description

Laminaria species have a two-stage life cycle and grow to a considerable size. The large sporophytes (sometimes over 3 m long) are commonly known as kelp and have a tough texture. They show substantial morphological variation between species. The stipes (analogous to a plant stem) are flexible and the blade (analogous to a leaf) is tough and leathery. The blade is composed of an outer layer of cells that contain the photosynthetic pigments and an inner layer that does not.

Distribution

Laminaria species are found in the cold waters of the northern hemisphere. The highest species diversity is found along the northeast Pacific coast, with 14 species in Alaska, and 17 species in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. Laminaria japonica is now cultivated on a large scale in Japan and China.

Uses

Laminaria is a source of dietary iodine. People in East Asia have been using Laminaria as a food source for thousands of years. In addition to its nutritional value, Laminaria has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is also used in the production of alginate, a polysaccharide used in food and industrial applications.

See also

• Kelp
• Algae
• Alginate

References

Laminaria Resources
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