Biology:Codium edule
| Codium edule | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| (unranked): | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Ulvophyceae |
| Order: | Bryopsidales |
| Family: | Codiaceae |
| Genus: | Codium |
| Species: | C. edule
|
| Binomial name | |
| Codium edule P.C.Silva, 1952
| |
Codium edule is a green alga common on shallow reef flats from the intertidal to the subtidal in tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific.[1][2][3] The species is common in Hawaiʻi where it is usually called wāwaeʻiole (meaning "ratʻs foot") and considered an edible alga or limu.[3] Prominent ethnobotanist Isabella Abbott described its usage in her writing.[2][3]
Description
Codium edule is a fleshy, dark green seaweed, with a soft, spongy texture. Its repeatedly forked branches lie flat and attach to surfaces, forming mats that incorporate coral rubble, rocks, and shells. [4] The fronds of C. edule are split in two or three ways, are round, and get thinner at the ends. The branches are 3-5 mm wide and are held together or to the substratum by small, cushion-like holdfasts.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Codium edule is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It grows in many places from Hawaii to the Federated States of Micronesia to Papua New Guinea, and as far west as Indonesia.[6] In the Hawaiian Islands, the type location is Waikiki.[2] It grows in intertidal zones and tide pools found at 6 to 10 ft deep, and likes attaching itself to coral rubble and broken shells. As a result, this forms clumps of dark green soft branches that are split into smaller parts.[7]
Human Use and cultural significance
Codium edule serves various purposes, including human food, medicinal applications, animal feed, fish meal, and fertilizer.[8] Although it can be kept in the fridge for an extended period, it tastes best when consumed within 10 days of foraging. It can be enjoyed as a side dish with fish, seafood, or stew, or mixed with other types of seaweed.[9] The limu needs first to be washed carefully as grains of sand, pieces of shells and other debris get caught in the mats.[3]
References
- ↑ Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2021). "Codium edule P.C.Silva, 1952.". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=374214.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Huisman, John M.; Abbott, Isabella A.; Smith, Celia M. (2007). Hawaiian reef plants. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program. ISBN 978-1-929054-04-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Aiona., Abbott, Isabella (1996). Limu : an ethnobotanical study of some Hawaiian seaweeds. National Tropical Botanical Garden. OCLC 34798092. https://worldcat.org/oclc/34798092.
- ↑ "New Page 1". https://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/natives/sgfieldguide.htm.
- ↑ "A taxonomic and karyological study of the Codium geppiorum complex (Chlorophyta) in southern Taiwan, including the description of Codium nanwanense sp. nov.". https://ejournal.sinica.edu.tw/bbas/content/2002/2/bot432-10.html.
- ↑ Abbott, Isabella Aiona; Huisman, John M. (2004). Marine green and brown algae of the Hawaiian Islands. Bishop Museum bulletin in botany. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum. Honolulu, Hawaiʻi: Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 978-1-58178-030-7.
- ↑ "Section: Algae (Green): Group: Calcareous Algae: Species: Codium edule (Antler Seaweed)". https://www.saltcorner.com/AquariumLibrary/browsespecies.php?CritterID=2030.
- ↑ Wai, Mya; Nyunt, Thida; Kyaw, Soe; Soe-Htun, U (2009). ""The Morphology and Distribution of the Genus Codium(Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) from Myanmar"". Journal of the Myanmar Academy of Science and Arts 7 (5): 183–197. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280831424.
- ↑ "Edible Limu of Hawaii". https://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/publications/ediblelimu/.
Wikidata ☰ Q69696475 entry
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