Sea lettuce  (Ulva lactua)

Not threatened (3).

Sea lettuce is a common green seaweed with a broad translucent frond (3) that is just 2 cell layers thick (2). This seaweed has a rather ‘crumpled’ appearance and is reminiscent of a lettuce leaf, hence the common name (4). The frond is typically bright green or dark green in colour with paler margins that are often white (2). It attaches to the substratum with a small disc-like holdfast, but in sheltered areas it may detach and live as large free-floating masses (2).

This common species is ubiquitous around the British coastline (4) save for very exposed rocky shores (3). It is found almost worldwide (4).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Found on all levels of the shore. It can tolerate brackish water and is also found in estuaries (3). It can also survive as a free-floating mass in sheltered waters (2).

In some parts of the world this seaweed is eaten as ‘green laver’ (3). It is also sold as a medicine in China (4).

This species is not threatened.

Not relevant.

There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

For more on this species see: Pizzolla, P. F. (2003) Ulva lactua. Sea lettuce. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme. [On-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 27/11/2003]. Available on-line at:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Ulvalactuca.htm