Gracilaria coronopifolia

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Gracilaria coronopifolia
Gracilaria sp.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Gracilariales
Family: Gracilariaceae
Genus: Gracilaria
Species:
G. coronopifolia
Binomial name
Gracilaria coronopifolia

Gracilaria coronopifolia, also known as limu manauea in Hawaiian, or ogo in Japanese, is a species of edible red algae (Rhodophyta) [1] endemic to Hawai'i. [2]

Contents

Description

Gracilaria coronopifolia features many cylindrical branches that reach out from its stipe, [3] which resembles a bush with no leaves. Typically this species is found to be around six to fifteen centimeters tall, [4] and red or pink in appearance.

Distribution & Habitat

Gracilaria coronopifolia is endemic to Hawaii and typically occurs close to the shore in tidepools or in the first four meters of the subtidal zone, [4] attached to limestone or other hard surfaces. It is considered one of the most common algae found in the intertidal zone in the Hawaiian islands. [3]

Human Use

Due to the abundance of gracilaria coronopifolia, it has been commonly used for human consumption in Hawai'i. [5] Outside of Hawai'i, countries like: Japan, Korea, and the Philippines [6] also enjoy gracilaria coronopifolia for consumption, despite it not occurring naturally in these countries. Gracilaria coronopifolia is typically eaten as a salad or pickled as a side dish. It is described to have a crispy texture and features a color change to green once cooked. [7] Gracilaria coronopifolia is considered to be a "superfood" due to it's abundance of potassium, calcium, magnesium and other beneficial vitamins and minerals. [7]

Gracilaria coronopifolia is also commonly used in aquarium fish food. [7]  

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References

  1. "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Gracilaria coronopifolia J.Agardh, 1852". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  2. "Limu Manauea". Waikīkī Aquarium. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  3. 1 2 "Gracilaria coronopifolia". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  4. 1 2 Abbott, Isabella Aiona (1999). Marine red algae of the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: Bishop Museum Press. ISBN   1-58178-003-6. OCLC   40881645.
  5. "Edible Limu of Hawaii". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  6. "Country List - Gracilaria coronopifolia". www.sealifebase.se. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  7. 1 2 3 "Red Ogo Seaweed". California Sea Grant. Retrieved 2022-10-31.