Laurencia


Laurencia is a genus of red algae that grow in temperate and tropical shore areas, in littoral to sublittoral habitats, at depths up to.

Description

Laurencia species have a thallus that is erect or with distichous, whorled or radial branch arrangement.

Species

, a database with detailed information on species of Laurencia, includes 145 taxonomically accepted species as of 2015, and differentiates these from a further ~375 entries of uncertain taxonomic status; it further delineates homotypic or heterotypic synonyms.
Commonly observed species of Laurencia include the shallow subtidal Laurencia nidifica, Laurencia pacifica, and Laurencia thyrsifera. Species seen in the British Isles include Laurencia hybrida, Laurencia obtusa, Laurencia osmunda, Laurencia pinnatifida, Laurencia pyramidalis, and Laurencia truncata.
The World Register of Marine Species lists the following species as accepted:
Laurencia nidifica is used as a condiment in Hawaii due to its peppery taste.