Porphyra umbilicalis

Porphyra umbilicalis, commonly called "laver", is a species of seaweed in the genus Porphyra. It is smooth in texture and forms delicate, sheetlike thalli, reaching 25 centimetres (10 in) long^[1] and often clinging to rocks.^[2] Porphyra is classified as red algae; it tends to be a brownish colour, but boils down to a dark green pulp when prepared. It is unusual amongst seaweeds because the fronds are only one cell thick.^[3][4]

Porphyra umbilicalis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Bangiophyceae
Order:	Bangiales
Family:	Bangiaceae
Genus:	Porphyra
Species:	P. umbilicalis
Binomial name
Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kützing

It is commonly found around the west coast of Great Britain and east coast of Ireland along the Irish Sea, where it is also known as "sleabhac" or "slake".^[5][6] It is edible and used to make laverbread.^[1]

See also

• Kathleen Mary Drew-Baker