Goat floating weed, Hijiki
Sargassum fusiforme

Family: Sargassaceae

What it is like

A brown seaweed. It is large and dark brown. The shoots are 1 m long. It has fleshy side branches. When dried it looks like short lengths of black wire.

There is only one Hizikia species. It is high in calcium. The have been some concerns about high organic arsenic in this sea vegetable.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows on reefs below the tide level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Japan, Korea

How it is used for food

The branching blades are eaten fresh or dried. It is used in soups, stews and salads. It is made into a tea like drink. The young parts are used in soup and as a vegetable. Caution: Some kinds are suspected of containing inorganic arsenic.

It is popular.

Edible parts

Frond, algae, seaweed

How it is grown

It should not be cultivated near polluted areas as it can accumulate heavy metals.

Its other names

Local names

Brown algae, Chu-chiau ts'ai, Chiau tsai, Hai tso, Hai ti tun, Hai toe din, Hai tsao, Hiziki, Hoi tsou, Moku, Nongmichae, Tot

Synonyms

Cystophyllum fusiforme Harvey; Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura; Turbinaria fusiforme (Harvey) Yendo;