Sea Lettuce

Description:

This is a membranous green algae with flat broad thalli and wavy to frilly edges. It looks like loosely arranged leaves of a lettuce. The thalli are only two cells thick making them look delicate and transluscent.

Habitat:

Tidal zones - seen amongst rocks and in rock pools

Notes:

When fresh, this algae can be used in soups s is done in some european countries. At times large masses of this algae is washed on to shores; they decay releasing methane and hydrogen sulphide gas. The gases are toxic to humans and animals. These photographs do not capture the delicate beauty of this algae but they looked fragile floating in rock pools.