Bull whip kelp, Bladder kelp, Sea whip kelp
Nereocystis lutkeana
Family: Lessoniaceae
What it is like
A seaweed. The stipes are long and thick. They can be 25 m long and are hollow. They are 1.5 cm wide at the base and 12 cm wide at the top. There is an inflated bulb at the top. This can be 20 cm across. There are 2 rows of leaflike fronds on this. These can be 3-8 m long. They float in the water.
There is only one Nereocystis species.
Where it is found
A temperate plant. It grows on submerged rocks on rocky coastline washed by tides.
Countries/locations it is found in
Alaska, Canada, Pacific, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The long stipes are cut into lengths, desalted then candied or pickled. The bulb or float can be treated similarly. Dried blades are cooked and eaten. They are also eaten with herring roe.
Edible parts
Algae, seaweed