Giant Kelp

Description:

This is a little piece of Giant Kelp, washed ashore. The plant is actually huge and can grow two feet per day. Swimming through the kelp forest is a magical experience (unless it creeps you out completely).

Habitat:

Giant kelp is common along the coast of the eastern Pacific Ocean, from Baja California north to southeast Alaska, and is also found in the southern oceans near South America, South Africa, and Australia. Individual algae may grow to more than 45 metres (148 ft) long at a rate of as much as 2 feet (61 cm) per day. Giant kelp grows in dense stands known as kelp forests, which are home to many marine animals that depend on the algae for food or shelter. Humans harvest kelp for its rich iodine, potassium, and other minerals, but the primary product obtained from giant kelp is alginate.