The Maine Ten: Useful species grown or harvested in Maine

November 8, 2018

The Maine ten is a list of seaweed species that are currently wild harvested or cultivated in Maine. All of these “top ten” species can be used as food, but the main sea vegetables that are currently harvested or grown for sale are the kelps (Saccharina, Laminaria, and Alaria), the reds (Palmaria, Porphyra and Chondrus), and the green (Ulva). The Fucus species are typically dried for use in nutritional supplements or skin care products. Rockweed (Ascophyllum) is harvested for supplements, soil amendments, animal feeds, and organic fertilizers.

Table of latin names for seaweed
Table of latin names: Saccharina latissima – sugar kelp; Saccharina latissima forma angustissima – skinny kelp; Laminaria digitata – horsetail kelp; Alaria esculenta – winged kelp; Palmaria palmata – dulse; Chrondrus crispus – Irish moss; Porphyra umbilicalis – laver; Ulva lactuca – sea lettuce; Ascophyllum nodosum – rockweed; Fucus vesiculosus – bladderwrack.