Everything about Sargassum totally explained
Sargassum is a genus of generally planktonic (free-floating) macroalgae (
seaweed) in the order
Fucales.
Description
Species of this genus of
algae may grow to a length of several metres, they're generally brown or dark green in color and consist of a
holdfast, a
stipe, and a
frond.
Oogonia and
antheridia occur in
conceptacles embedded in
receptacles on special branches. Some species have berrylike gas-filled bladders which help keep the fronds afloat to promote
photosynthesis. Many have a rough sticky texture, which together with a robust but flexible body, helps it to withstand strong water currents.
The thick masses of
Sargassum provide an environment for a distinctive and specialised group of marine animals and plants, many of which are not found elsewhere.
Sargassum is commonly found in the beach drift near
Sargassum beds where they're also known as
Gulfweed, and colloquially as
the weed of deceit, a term also used to include all seaweed species washed up on shore.
Sargassum species are found throughout tropical areas of the world and are often the most obvious macrophyte in near-shore areas where
Sargassum beds often occur near
coral reefs. The plants grow subtidally and attach to coral, rocks or shells in moderately exposed or sheltered rocky or pebble areas. In some cases (for example the
Sargasso Sea) there are floating populations of
Sargassum.
Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt
Description
Sargassum muticum (External Link
) is a large brown seaweed of the Division
Phaeophyta. It grows attached to rocks by a
perennial holdfast up to 5 cm in diameter. From this holdfast the main axis grows to a maximum of 5 cm high. The leaf-like laminae and primary lateral branches grow from this stipe. In warm waters it can grow to 12 m long, however in British waters it gives rise to a single main axis with secondary and tertiary branches which are shed annually. Numerous small 2-6 mm stalked air vesicles provide buoyancy. The reproductive receptacles are also stalked and develop in the axils of leafy laminae. It is self fertile.
History
The
Florida Keys and its smaller islands are well known for their high levels of
Sargassum covering their shores. Gulfweed was observed by
Columbus. Although it was formerly thought to cover the entirety of the
Sargasso Sea, making navigation impossible, it has since been found to occur only in drifts.
Sargassum muticum originally from
Japan had by
15 March 1995 been found in
Strangford Lough,
County Down,
Northern Ireland, this is an extension of the distribution of this invasive species.
Herbarium specimens are now stored in the
Ulster Museum (BEL catalogue numbers: F11241 - F11242; F11182 - F11185). The species was first found in the
British Isles in the
Isle of Wight in 1973. It is thought to have gained worldwide distribution through being transported with Japanese
oysters. There is much concern about its impact on the coastal environment. It has become a great nuisance forming large detached mats, clogging marinas, recreational areas and other sports facilities. It can foul fishing lines, clog pipes of boats and trap debris.
The species is particularly tenacious with fast growth rates, high reproductive rates and an ability to spread vegetatively.
Sargassum is also cultivated and cleaned for use as an herbal remedy. Many Chinese herbalists prescribe powdered sargassum in paper packets of 0.5 gm, to be dissolved in warm water and drank as a tea. It is said to remove excess phlegm. When sold in this application it's commonly referred to as Seaweed Sargassum Tea.
Sargassum is also cultivated and cleaned for use as an herbal remedy.
Distribution
Sargassum muticum has a range stretching from Nanaimo,
British Columbia to
Baja in
California. In
Europe it now extends along the coasts of
Great Britain,
France,
Scandinavia,
Baltic Sea,
Helgoland,
Netherlands,
Ireland, the
Iberian Peninsula and into the
Mediterranean from
Italy and the
Adriatic. It is recorded from Japan,
China and
Alaska.
Life history
Life history.
(External Link)
Habitat
Sargassum muticum grows in from just below low-water mark to a depth of 10 m.
[Further Information]
Get more info on 'Sargassum'.
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