Sea lettuce

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For the land plant, see Dudleya caespitosa.
Sea lettuce
Ulva lactuca
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvophyceae
Order: Ulvales
Family: Ulvaceae
Genus: Ulva
Linnaeus, 1753
Species

See text.

The sea lettuces comprise the genus Ulva, a group of edible green algae widely distributed along the coasts of the world's oceans.

The many species of sea lettuce are a popular food in many of the places where they grow, including Scandinavia, Great Britain, Ireland, China, and Japan (where they are known as aosa). They can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked in soups, and are high in protein, soluble dietary fiber, and a variety of vitamins and minerals including especially iron.

The type species is Ulva lactuca Linnaeus.

Additionally, some species in the genus Monostroma are known as slender sea lettuces.

It is eaten by some sea animals, such as manatees.

[edit] Species in the genus Ulva

  • Ulva lactuca
  • Ulva pertusa
  • Ulva fasciata
  • Ulva rigida
  • Ulva linza

and more at algaeBASE

[edit] See also

[edit] External links