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seagrass lagoon

'Pom pom' red seaweed Gracilaria edulis Family Gracilariaceae

This red seaweed grows in thick bunches on ropes and other hard surfaces in the sea. It has lots of short branching stems that bunch together and makes it look like 'pom pom's. It is often seen in black, brown or purplish colours.

Human uses: It is reported to be edible (as jelly) and used for animal feed, as fertiliser for coffee and coconut plants in Hainan, India and Ceylon, as meal in cottage industries and for waste water purification and reuse. This seaweed is also said to have antibacterial properties, and is used to treat knee joint pains, sores, pulmonary ailments and stomach problems. It is a potential source of methane.

quick facts
Stems about 10cm long, with many short branches, common in the seagrass lagoon

See also ...
Seaweeds in general

Links
Gracilaria and its Cultivation by Natalie Prins from the World of Algae page on the the University of the Western Cape, South Africa website: includes the culture and uses of Gracilaria sp.

Other references

Trono, G. C. Jr., 1997. Field Guide and Atlas of the Seaweed Resources of the Philippines. Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 306 pp.

a companion website to the chek jawa guidebook website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com

a companion website to the chek jawa guidebook
website©ria tan 2003 www.wildsingapore.com