Buiro, Giant kelp
Macrocystis integrifolia
Family: Laminariaceae
What it is like
A seaweed. It is deep greenish brown. It has several stems attached to a single holdfast. The blades are large and flat and leaf-like. These are 35-40 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. The blades have a wavy surface and teeth along the edge. They taper to the base. They have a float at the base that causes them to float near the water surface.
There are 4 Macrocystis species. Also put in the family Lessoniaceae.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Canada, Chile, Peru, North America, South America, USA
How it is used for food
The plant is dried and eaten with herring roe.
Edible parts
Algae, frond, seaweed