Sea hair, Hair seaweed
Gracilaria verrucosa

Family: Gracilariaceae

What it is like

A red seaweed. Some forms are small and some large. They can be 10 cm long or 2.5 m long. It has irregular branches and these taper to the tip.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It often is attached to rocks or pebbles. It is in the lower intertidal zone. It grows on sheltered shores.

Countries/locations it is found in

Antarctica, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Britain, Caribbean, Chile, Egypt, Europe, Fiji, Hispaniola, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mediterranean, North Africa, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, SE Asia, South America, West Indies

How it is used for food

It can be eaten raw, sunbleached or blanched. It is used to produce agar. It is pickled. It can be cooked with other vegetables.

Edible parts

Seaweed, frond

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Black moss, China grass, False Ceylon moss, Lumiwawa, Lumiyara, Pelillo, Sea moss, Susueldot-baybay

Synonyms

Gracillaria confervoides;