Wakame
Undaria pinnatifida
Habitat and range 2
Undaria pinnatifida (wakame) is a kelp native to temperate coasts of Japan, China, and Korea. It has become an invasive species through international shipping, invading many areas including North America. The first report of this species was in Los Angeles Harbor in 2000 and has now been reported from Ensenada, Mexico to Pillar Point (San Mateo County), CA (Zabin et al. 2009). This species inhabits the low intertidal zone but is more commonly subtidal; in California, it is most often found in harbors.
Morphology and identification 3
Large brown kelp with a hapterous holdfast. Stipe has wavy edges and gives rise to a blade that is broad, flattened, and lanceolate. Has a distinct midrib with blade margins that are wavy and often torn into numerous pieces. Reproductive spiral structures located on stipe near the holdfast.
Sources and Credits
- (c) intertidalecologist, all rights reserved, uploaded by intertidalecologist
- Adapted by intertidalecologist from a work by (c) kelpsquad, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- (c) intertidalecologist, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Common name | Algae, Brown Algae |
|---|---|
| Region | Government Point to Mexico, San Francisco to Government Point |
