MACOI - Portuguese Seaweeds Website

Class:

Phaeophyceae

Genus:

Laminaria J.V. Lamouroux

Species:

Laminaria ochroleuca

Authority:

Bachelot de la Pylaie

Description:

Laminaria ochroleuca is a yellow-brown digitate kelp up to about 1.5 m in length. It has a distinct yellow area at the junction of the stipe and the blade which is a key distinguishing feature. Laminaria ochroleuca also has a rigid round stem (or stipe) that is clean of any attached growths (epiphytes). The blade is broad and flattened, dividing into numerous strap like digits.

Original publication: De la Pylaie, [A.J.M.B.] (1824). Quelques observations sur les productions de l'île de Terre Neuve et sur quelques Algues de la côte de France, appartement au genre Laminaire. Annales des Sciences Naturelles, Botanique 4: 174-184.

Download PDF from Algaebase

Original description: Download PDF from Algaebase

Laminaria ochroleuca is a glossy, yellow-brown kelp that is prevalent along the intertidal zones. This kelp is quite conspicuous as it grows quite large under the right conditions. The maximum length recorded is 4 meters long, but this length is rarely attained and occurs only in specific areas. Under normal conditions Laminaria ochroleuca is more likely to reach a maximum length of about 2 meters. Laminaria ochroleuca has a large heavy holdfast made up of thick haptera (up to 18 centimeters in diameter) that support the plant and anchor it to rock. This holdfast gives rise to a fairly long, ridgid, round, epiphyte-free stipe that tapers somewhat as it approaches the blade. This stipe is so strong and stiff that it stands erect when the plant is out of the water. The blade of this kelp is large, flat, and leathery and divided into 5 to 20 strap-like digits. This kelp is easily distinguished by the distinct yellow area at the junction of the stipe and the blade. The entire plant actually has a very lovely yellowish hue to its smooth, bright, glossy tissue. Laminaria ochroleuca is a perennial kelp that retains its stipe and holdfast year-long but regenerates a new blade each year. It is commonly found in the intertidal zone of exposed sites though it can occur deeper, up to 30 meters deep, but this is less common.

Link for Seaweeds Industry Association

Name History

Adjective (Latin), yellow-brown

Biogeography

Laminaria ochroleuca is a warm-temperate species of kelp, and is most common in the northeastern Atlantic from the British Isles to the Sahara and the Atlantic zones of the Mediterranean.

Uses and compounds

Applied topically, it helps reduce inflammation and, like all forms of seaweed, has some amonut of moisture-binding properties due to its sterol content (Sources: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, September 2007, pages 1,124-1,125; and Biomedical Chromotography, April 2004, pages 183-190).

Extracts of Laminaria ochroleuca have been found to act as a central nervous system depressant with a slight analgesic activity. It is also able to effectively guard DNA against UV rays and premature aging. With these properties it is becoming more widely used in cosmetics and in natural therapeutic medicine. Applied topically, Laminaria ochroleuca helps reduce inflammation and, like many forms of seaweed, has some amonut of moisture-binding properties due to its sterol content. Laminaria ochroleuca is used in products from Spain, Germany, France, and the UK; these include rescue balms, repairing and anti-aging moisturizers, as well as dried and packaged foods.

Harvesting: Commercial harvesting of Laminaria ochroleuca is known to take place in Spain and France.

Harvesting Techniques: In shallower areas Laminaria ochroleuca can be harvested by hand at low tide, but otherwise it can be harvested by small boat.

References

Loiseaux-de Goër, S. & Noailles, M.-C. (2008). Algues de Roscoff. pp. [1]-215, col. figs. Roscoff: Editions de la Station Biologique de Roscoff.

Sánchez, I., Fernández, C. & Arrontes, J. (2005). Long-term changes in the structure of intertidal assemblages following invasion by Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyta). Journal of Phycology 41: 942-949.

Habitat:

The species is found on rocks from the low water spring tide level to the shallow subtidal. In some locations Laminaria ochroleuca may be found in deeper water.

Common names:

Kelp, kombu

Type information:

Type locality: Island of Sein, Atlantic France (Athanasiadis 1996: 216). Type: PC?