SIZE : From 4 m to 5 m long.
LIFE EXPECTANCY : Less than one year.
LIFE CYCLE : The sea lace releases its spores from August to November and dies in late autumn.
The released spores settle to the bottom where they germinate. Over winter, male and female reproductive cells are produced for propagation. At the end of the winter season, the fertilized eggs develop into new seaweeds in spring.
The sea lace first grows from its base when young, then from its extremities as an adult.
In summer, sea lace become covered with short, colorless hairs.
Credit : Éric Tamigneaux, photo taken in 2014.
This brown algae has fronds that look like long threads, often intertwined. Yellowish-brown to dark brown in color, they become covered with short, colorless hairs in summer. Each alga has 1 to 15 slimy, unbranched fronds, which float thanks to their hollow, gas-filled stems. Its holdfast is very small.
Coastal zone, up to 20 m deep.
The sea lace favors submerged but sheltered environments near the mouth of a river, as well as the shallow sea lagoons of the Magdalen Islands. It easily tolerates variations in temperature and salinity.
The sea lace adheres to surfaces such as pebbles that are slightly buried in the sand, empty mollusc shells, and even on other algae. It can also serve as a support for other plants.
The sea lace adheres to surfaces such as pebbles that are slightly buried in the sand, empty mollusc shells, and even on other algae. It can also serve as a support for other plants.
Credit : Richard Larocque, photo taken in Les Méchins.
PREYS :
CO2
Solar energy
PREDATORS :
Herbivorous mol-luscs
Shrimps
MACHINES : Hand harvesting.
REGULATIONS :
Permit required.
This algae is not yet harvested commercially in Quebec. However, ÉPAQ students and teachers carried out successful cultivation trials in 2016.
Unusual nicknames
This seaweed has a huge variety of common names in English. Some names, such as dead man’s rope may be a little gruesome. Others are more fanciful, such as mermaid’s tresses.
BENEFITS :
Rich in minerals, vitamins and especially iodine, which is essential for the thyroid gland. However, excessive intake may be contra-indicated for some people, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, children, and people with hyperthyroidism. It is therefore recommended to include this seaweed in a varied diet.
Preliminary studies suggest that their use may help reduce cholesterol.
LET’S COOK :
Crunchy texture like fresh vegetables. Fresh, mineral flavor, slightly bitter.
Smooth cord weed also tastes good when dried.
OUR CULINARY ADVICE :
- Add raw to salads, soups, or stir-fries.
- Use dried in drinks or as a seasoning.
- Given its shape, it can also be used to replace noodles.
The waters of the St. Lawrence are known for their good quality. However, as algae absorb the elements present in the water in order to grow, it is preferable to make sure that the harvesting site is clean before eating them fresh.
