green seaweeds text index | photo index
Seaweeds > Division Chlorophyta > Family Caulerpaceae > genus Caulerpa
Big parasol green seaweed
Caulerpa peltata*
Family Caulerpaceae
updated Oct 2016

Where seen? This green seaweed with small fleshy 'umbrellas' is commonly seen on some of our shores, growing on coral rubble near reefs.

Features: The seaweed has structures that look like fleshy umbrellas; with a thick circular portion (about 1-1.5cm across) on a little stalk. These little umbrellas emerge along the length of a 'horizontal root' that creeps over the surface. Some form loose clusters. Bright yellow-green to bluish-green.

On the reefs of our Southern Islands, a similar seaweed with much smaller 'parasols' is often seen.

Sometimes confused with
similar green seaweeds. Here's more on how to tell apart some green seaweeds.

Human uses: It is eaten in some places and used as medicine for its antifungal properties and ability to lower blood pressure.

Beting Bronok, Jul 07

Loose clusters.

Pulau Hantu, Jun 10

Pulau Semakau, Jan 09

Tuas, Jun 05

*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination of internal parts.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.

Big parasol green seaweeds on Singapore shores

Photos of Big parasol green seaweeds for free download from wildsingapore flickr

Distribution in Singapore on this wildsingapore flickr map


Sisters Island, Aug 09
Photo shared by Neo Mei Lin on her blog.

Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 21
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook.


Pulau Senang, Aug 10

Pulau Salu, Aug 10

Terumbu Berkas, Jan 10

Links References
  • Lee Ai Chin, Iris U. Baula, Lilibeth N. Miranda and Sin Tsai Min ; editors: Sin Tsai Min and Wang Luan Keng, A photographic guide to the marine algae of Singapore, 2015. Tropical Marine Science Institute, 201 pp.
  • Pham, M. N., H. T. W. Tan, S. Mitrovic & H. H. T. Yeo, 2011. A Checklist of the Algae of Singapore, 2nd Edition. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, Singapore. 99 pp. Uploaded 1 October 2011. [PDF, 1.58 MB].
  • Trono, Gavino. C. Jr., 1997. Field Guide and Atlas of the Seaweed Resources of the Philippines.. Bookmark, Inc., the Philippines. 306 pp.
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