Sea Lettuce Facts

Sea Lettuce Facts

Scientific Name: Ulva lactuca 
(UL-vah lak-too-ka)

1. Sea Lettuce is found worldwide Fresh Sea lettuce is a bright green cellophane-like leaf very similar to a lettuce leaf. Fresh plants are rather crunchy and tough in texture and have a taste similar to sorrel, a ‘green’ taste and a subtle hint of pepper. It is delicate & a bit pungent. Usually sea lettuce will be sold dry. The leaves are crinkled and present a variety of green colours.

2. Max size of 18 cm long (can be broader than long).

3. Thin, translucent, light to bright green blades, ruffled edges, short, distinct stipe (stem) 

4. Food is produced on its own through photosynthesis 

5.  Predators are geese, sea urchins, crustaceans, molluscs

6.  Food is produced on its own through photosynthesis 

7.  Predators are geese, sea urchins, crustaceans, molluscs

8. It is commonly eaten in salads, soups, dried, or raw 

9. Sea lettuce is edible! It can be eaten as ‘laverbread’, which is made by boiling it for hours until it forms a sort of jelly. This means that it grows, reproduces and then dies in a season. It is a very common seaweed found all over the world.

10. As with all fishing, different baits are used to catch different types of fish at different times of the year. For example, a green seaweed, commonly called sea lettuce, is often used to attract and catch blackfish . 

11. An algae called Trentepohlia grows on the cypress trees in the forest of the reserve .

12. The float of bull kelp contains the poisonous gas carbon monoxide.

13. An algae called Prionitis smells like laundry bleach.

14. It is high in iron, B12, calcium, magnesium & manganese. Also good vitamin C. 

15. High in vegetarian protein, dietary fiber, antioxidants and electrolytes 

16. Vitamins B1 and C alongside the minerals in sea lettuce are natural immune system boosters.  

17. Sea Lettuce contains a full range of electrolytes which keep blood pH in balance. 

18. Warning: sea lettuce likes to grow in nutrient rich waters and can grow in polluted areas.

19. It is very high in iron and protein (similar  to dulse), and is high in iodine, aluminum, manganese and nickel as well. Sea lettuce provides considerable amounts of dietary fiber.