Chorda filum

Chorda filum, commonly known as dead man's rope or sea lace among other names, is a species of brown algae in the genus Chorda. It is widespread in the temperate waters of the northern hemisphere. The species has numerous other common names related to its physical appearance. These include mermaid's tresses, cat's gut or sea-catgut, bootlace weed, sea-twine, and mermaid's fishing line. Cultivation In the spring of 2025, a groundbreaking breakthrough was made in the cultivation of this type of seaweed: for the first time, it was successfully grown using spore propagation. The work, carried out by the Danish company Dansk Tang, marks a historic step forward in enabling seaweed farming in environments with lower salinity than previously thought possible.

Description

A seaweed. A yellow-brown unbranched seaweed. It is like rope and 1-3 m long by 2-3 mm across. It can be twisted into spirals.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The frond can be eaten fresh.

Traditional Uses

It can be eaten fresh.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It grows in cold temperate places. It grow on rocks in the intertidal zone.

Where It Grows

Alaska, Arctic, Asia, Atlantic coast, Baltic coast, Belgium, Britain, Canada, Canary Islands, China, Denmark, Europe, France, Greece, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Mediterranean, Netherlands, North America, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Scandinavia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Türkiye, USA,

References (7)

• Chapman, V.J. and Chapman, D.J., 1980, Seaweeds and their uses. London.
• Hu, Shiu-ying, 2005, Food Plants of China. The Chinese University Press. p 259
• Kiple, K.F. & Ornelas, K.C., (eds), 2000, The Cambridge World History of Food. CUP p 235
• Surey-Gent, S. & Morris G., 1987, Seaweed. A User's Guide. Whirret Books. London. p 34, 126
• Tseng, C.K., 1983, Common seaweeds of China. Beijing.