Furcellaria
Genus of seaweeds / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Furcellaria lumbricalis?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Furcellaria is a genus of red algae. It is a monotypic genus, the only species being Furcellaria lumbricalis, which has commercial importance as a raw material for carrageenan production. It is mainly harvested from the waters of Denmark and Canada.
Furcellaria | |
---|---|
Furcellaria lumbricalis syn. fastigiata | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Archaeplastida |
Division: | Rhodophyta |
Class: | Florideophyceae |
Order: | Gigartinales |
Family: | Furcellariaceae |
Genus: | Furcellaria J.V.Lamouroux |
Species | |
|
It grows on submerged rocks to a depth of about 12 metres (40 ft), but it can also grow in large floating mats, which are easier to harvest.
F. lumbricalis is also an important habitat-forming seaweed, forming underwater "belts" often just below those of bladderwrack. These belts provide spawning habitat for many fish species, and for this reason some governments place regulations on the harvesting of this seaweed.