Palmaria palmata (Dulse)
I’m finding seaweed identification a pretty tricky business. Each species has so many possible variations. For example, I’m pretty sure the first and last photos in this post are Palmaria palmata, but look how different the fronds are in the two specimens. The air bladders in the second Sugar Kelp photo were also really confusing. I haven’t found any references that describe that phenomenon. Also, some people online are telling me that Sugar Kelp is Laminaria saccharina, but all my references point toward Saccharina latissima. Man, I wish there were a seaweed-botany class I could take! Learning from Google and reference books just isn’t the same as talking to someone who really knows their stuff. I don’t like being self-taught – no confidence in the teacher.
Saccharina latissima (Sugar Kelp)
Ulva lactuca (Sea Lettuce)
Saccharina latissima (Sugar Kelp)
Palmaria palmata (Dulse)
