Scientific name
Caulerpa racemosa (forsskal) j.agardh
Common name/ other names
Sea grapes
Classification
Phylum – Chlorophyte
Class – Ulvophyceae
Order – Bryopsidales
Family – Caulerpaceae
Genus – Caulerpa
Species – C. racemosa
Ecology
- Epilithic or horizontal substratum,
- High intertidal pools,
- Along surf exposed coast to the shallow subtidal,
- Frequently develop between coral branches,
- Many areas of shallow sea around the world,
Identification
This plant has erect branches arising from a horizontal stolon (about 2mm thick) stolon attached to sediment by highly developed rhizomes (rhizoidal holdfasts). Rhizomes have few centimeters intervals. Also erect branches have few centimeters intervals. Branches have short rachis (2cm). Rachis have irregular, closely packed, pear-shaped large number of round branchlets (2-3 mm diameter) which are completely hiding the rachis. Stalks of brachlets are shorter than the spherical part.
Spherical part – grape like, closely packed
Color
Bright yellowish green
Importance
- Edible.
- Used as salads in japan, Philippines, thailand and etc..
- Rich in protein, minerals, folic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamins (A,B1 etc…) and low fat content.
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