Translations:AY Honors/Marine Algae/Answer Key/36/en

Fucus vesiculosus

Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus)

Where found: Fucus vesiculosus is one of the most common algae on the shores of the British Isles. It is recorded from the Atlantic shores of Europe, the Baltic Sea, Greenland, Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira. It also appears on the Atlantic coast of North America from Ellesmere Island, Hudson Bay to North Carolina.

Description: Fucus vesiculosus is a very variable alga. It can grow to 100 cm or more and is easily recognized by the small gas–filled vesicles which occur in pairs on either side of a central midrib running along the center of the strap-like frond. It was the original source of iodine, discovered in 1811, and was used extensively to treat goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland related to iodine deficiency. A common food in Japan, bladder wrack is used as an additive and flavouring in various food products in Europe. Bladder wrack is commonly found as a component of kelp tablets or powders used as nutritional supplements. It is sometimes loosely called "kelp", but that term technically refers to a different seaweed.