Durvillaea potatorum

Durvillaea potatorum is a large, robust species of southern bull kelp found in Australia.

Description

A seaweed. It has a very large stalk and frond. It can be 8 m long.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Durvillaea potatorum was used extensively for clothing and tools by Aboriginal Tasmanians, with uses including material for shoes and bags to transport freshwater and food. The Aboriginal Peoples of Tasmania continue to collect and use bull kelp for cultural purposes; it is a cultural keystone species. Currently, D. potatorum is collected as beach wrack from King Island, where it is then dried as chips and sent to Scotland for phycocolloid extraction.

Traditional Uses

It is used as a food additive.

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Distribution

It grows in temperate waters. It grows in the low tidal zone on southern beaches. It grows where wave action in strong.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Tasmania,

Synonyms

References (8)

• Breidahl H., 1997, Australian Southern Shores. Lothian. p 56
• Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 191
• Edgar, G., Edgar, R., and Edgar, A., 2006, Wild Australia. A Guide to the Places, Plants and Animals. New Holland. p 28
• Fuhrer, B.A. et al, 1981, Seaweeds of Australia. Reed. p 76
• http://www.seavegetables.com