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Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca)
Sea lettuce fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Sea lettuce description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Chlorophyta |
| Class | Ulvophyceae |
| Order | Ulvales |
| Family | Ulvaceae |
| Genus | Ulva (1) |
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).
- Also known as
- green laver.
- Size
- Length: typically up to 100 mm, but may reach 300mm or more (2)
- Brackish
- Slightly salty water.
-
National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (September 2003)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/ - Fish, J.D. & Fish, S. (1989) A student’s guide to the seashore. Unwin Hyman Ltd., London
-
Pizzolla, P. F. (2003) Ulva lactuca. 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 - Gibson, R., Hextall, B. & Rogers, A. (2001) Photographic Guide to the Sea & Shore Life of Britain and North-west Europe. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
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Sea lettuce biology
In some parts of the world this seaweed is eaten as ‘green laver’ (3). It is also sold as a medicine in China (4).
TopSea lettuce range
This common species is ubiquitous around the British coastline (4) save for very exposed rocky shores (3). It is found almost worldwide (4).
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Species with a similar range
|
You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Sea lettuce habitat
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).
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Top
Species found in a similar habitat
Sea lettuce status
Not threatened (3).
TopSea lettuce threats
This species is not threatened.
TopSea lettuce conservation
Not relevant.
|
|
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more
For more on this species see: Pizzolla, P. F. (2003) Ulva lactuca. 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
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Glossary
References
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This species is featured in:
This is a UK sandy shore species. Visit our habitat page to learn more.
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Image credit
Sea lettuce underwater
© Sue Scott
Sue Scott
Strome House
North Strome
Loch Carron
Ross-shire
IV54 8YJ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1520 722588
suescott153@btinternet.com
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