Alaria is an olive-brown coloured seaweed, and can grow up to 3 meters long and 5-20 centimeters long. It anchors itself to the ocean floor or rocks using a visible holdfast. A short stripe (like a steam) attaches the holdfast to the oval shaped fronds. The edges of the fronds are ruffled and tend to fray near the tip, this is suspected to be due to turbulence of the waves.
Habitat and Distribution:
Ribbon kelp grows in the mid to low intertidal zone and can often be found in large patches and attached to rock walls. It is abundant from Kodiak Island, Alaska to Point Conception, California.
Nutritional Benefits:
This species of kelp is full of vitamins K, and B6, and is also a rich source of iodine and marine derived protein.
Fun Fact!
Sitka black tailed deer have been observed grazing on wakame when large snowfalls force them to feed in the intertidal zone.
Names
Family: Alariaceae
Common Name: Ribbon Kelp or Winged Kelp
First Nations Names:
Haida (Skidegate): ngaal ga’aan, ngaal ga’aanda (ngaal gaʔaan, ngaal gaʔaanda) (for “brown kelp – Alaria”)
Ts’msyen (Sm’algyax): daytsh (hb) , dayts (“Alaria sp.”)
Kitasoo: daaitts (“seaweeds, broadleaved marine algae” – Alaria)