Furcellaria lumbricalis (Hudson) J.V. Lamouroux
Also known as Furcellaria fastigiata and as Black Carrageen (English), Leaba Phortáin (Irish: Crab's Bed).
Description: Cartilaginous, cylindrical, brownish-black fronds, repeatedly dichotomously branched with narrow axils, fastigiate,
to 2 mm diam. and 300 mm long, with acute apices. Attached by much-branched rhizoids. Multiaxial, medulla of cylindrical cells interspersed with rhizoids,
cortex of irregular filaments, inner cells elliptical, outer cells narrow, elongated, in radial rows.
Habitat: On rocks, lower intertidal and shallow subtidal, in pools and runnels, in open situations, often on sandy or muddy shores,
tolerating lowered salinities. Widely distributed, common.
Distribution: Spitsbergen south to Spain.
Similar species: Polyides rotundus is similar in expternal appearance but has a discoid attachement structure instead of a rhizoidal one.
Usage: A detached form was once collected in Denmark for carrageenan (furcellaran) production but stocks are now exhausted; all carrageenan produced in Denmark now comes from foreign sources.
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Books
An Irish Seaweed Kitchen - Prannie Rhatigan.
New Seaweed Recipies - with an Irish twist.
€35
Meeresalgen - Wolfram Braun.
Colour identification guide to seaweeds of the World.
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