''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (

Rhodophyta Red algae, or Rhodophyta (, ; ), are one of the oldest groups of eukaryotic algae. The Rhodophyta also comprises one of the largest phyla of algae, containing over 7,000 currently recognized species with taxonomic revisions ongoing. The majority ...

) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among

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and

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Taxonomy

''Gracilaria'' contains the following subtaxa: *''

Gracilaria abbottiana ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' M.D.Hoyle *'' Gracilaria abyssalis'' Gurgel & Yoneshigue-Valentin *'' Gracilaria aculeata'' (Hering) Papenfuss *'' Gracilaria aggregata'' Hooker f. & Harvey *'' Gracilaria ambigua'' Greville *''

Gracilaria apiculata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' P.Crouan & H.Crouan ** ''Gracilaria apiculata'' subsp. ''candelabriformis'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris *'' Gracilaria apiculifera'' J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria arcuata'' f. ''rhizophora'' Børgesen ** ''Gracilaria arcuata'' var. ''attenuata'' Umamaheswara Rao ** ''Gracilaria arcuata'' var. ''snackeyi'' Weber Bosse *''

Gracilaria arcuata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Zanardini *''

Gracilaria armata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (C.Agardh) Greville *'' Gracilaria articulata'' C.F.Chang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria ascidiicola'' E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria attenuata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (M.Umamaheswara Rao) V.Krishnamurthy *''

Gracilaria austromaritima ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Przhemenstskaya *''

Gracilaria babae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (H.Yamamoto) P.-K. Ng, P.-E. Lim & S.-M. Phang *''

Gracilaria baiana ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Lyra, Gurgel, M.C.Oliveira & Nunes *''

Gracilaria beckeri ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (J.Agardh) Papenfuss *''

Gracilaria birdiae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' E.M.Plastino & E.C.Oliveira *''

Gracilaria blodgettii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Harvey *''

Gracilaria brasiliensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Gurgel & Yoneshigue-Valentin *''

Gracilaria brevis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' W.R.Taylor *''

Gracilaria bursa-pastoris ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (S.G.Gmelin) P.C.Silva *''

Gracilaria camerunensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Pilger *'' Gracilaria canaliculata'' Sonder *'' Gracilaria capensis'' F.Schmitz ex Mazza *''

Gracilaria capitata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Zanardini *'' Gracilaria cearensis'' (A.B.Joly & Pinheiro) A.B.Joly & Pinheiro *'' Gracilaria cerrosiana'' W.R.Taylor *''

Gracilaria cervicornis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (Turner) J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria changii'' (B.M.Xia & I.A.Abbott) I.A.Abbott, J.Zhang & B.M.Xia *''

Gracilaria chilensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' C.J.Bird, McLachlan & E.C.Oliveira *'' Gracilaria chondracantha'' (Kützing) A.J.K.Millar *'' Gracilaria chondroides'' (Kützing) P.Crouan & H.Crouan ** ''Gracilaria chorda'' var. ''exilis'' Yamamoto *'' Gracilaria chouae'' Zhang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria cliftonii'' Withell, A.J.K.Millar & Kraft *'' Gracilaria comosa'' Withell, A.J.K.Millar & Kraft ** ''Gracilaria compressa'' var. ''lyra'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria conferta'' (Schousboe ex Montagne) Montagne ** ''Gracilaria confervoides'' f. ''ecortica'' V.M.May ** ''Gracilaria confervoides'' var. ''ramulosa'' Kützing *''

Gracilaria coppejansii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Muangmai, Lewmanomont, Prathep, Terada & Zuccarello *'' Gracilaria corallicola'' Zanardini *''

Gracilaria cornea ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria corniculata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (C.Agardh) J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria coronopifolia'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria corticata'' (J.Agardh) J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria corticata'' var. ''cylindrica'' Umamaheswara Rao ** ''Gracilaria corticata'' var. ''linearis'' J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria corticata'' var. ''ramalinioides'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria corymbiata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (N.Rodríguez de Rios) E.K.Ganesan ** ''Gracilaria crassa'' f. ''conglomerata'' Børgesen *''

Gracilaria crassissima ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (P.Crouan & H.Crouan) P.Crouan & H.Crouan *'' Gracilaria crispata'' Setchell & Gardner *'' Gracilaria crockeri'' E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria cuneata'' Areschoug *''

Gracilaria cuneifolia ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (Okamura) I.K.Lee & Kurogi *''

Gracilaria curtissiae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria cylindrica ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Børgesen *'' Gracilaria damicornis'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria dawsonii'' Hoyle *''

Gracilaria debilis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Forsskål) Børgesen *'' Gracilaria dendroides'' Gargiulo, De Masi & Tripodi *'' Gracilaria denticulata'' F.Schmitz ex Mazza *'' Gracilaria disputabilis'' (M.Bodard) M.Bodard *'' Gracilaria disticha'' (J.Agardh) J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria divaricata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Harvey *''

Gracilaria divergens ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (C.Agardh) J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria domingensis'' (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie *'' Gracilaria dotyi'' Hoyle *'' Gracilaria dumosa'' Harvey & Bailey *'' Gracilaria dura'' (C.Agardh) J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria dura'' f. ''prolificans'' Reinbold ** ''Gracilaria dura'' var. ''fruticosa'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria ecuadoreana'' (W.R.Taylor) E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria edulis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (S.G.Gmelin) P.C.Silva *''

Gracilaria ephemera ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Skelton, G.R.South & A.J.K.Millar *'' Gracilaria epihippisora'' Hoyle *''

Gracilaria excavata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Setchell & Gardner) G.M.Lyra, C.Iha, M.C. Oliveira, J.M.C.Nunes *''

Gracilaria falconii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Ardito, Núñez-Resendiz, Dreckmann & Sentíes *'' Gracilaria fanii'' B.M.Xia & Pan *'' Gracilaria ferox'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria firma ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' C.F.Chang & B.-M.Xia *''

Gracilaria fisheri ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (B.M.Xia & I.A.Abbott) I.A.Abbott, J.Zhang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria flabelliformis'' (P.Crouan & H.Crouan) Fredericq & Gurgel ** ''Gracilaria flabelliformis'' subsp. ''aionana'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris ** ''Gracilaria flabelliformis'' subsp. ''simplex'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris *''

Gracilaria flagelliformis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Sonder) Womersley *'' Gracilaria flexuosa'' E.M.Holmes *'' Gracilaria foliifera'' (Forsskål) Børgesen ** ''Gracilaria foliifera'' f. ''granatea'' (J.V.Lamouroux) Børgesen *'' Gracilaria fruticosa'' Harvey *'' Gracilaria galetensis'' Gurgel, Fredericq, & J.N.Norris *'' Gracilaria gardneri'' (Setchell) Gurgel, J.N.Norris & Fredericq *''

Gracilaria gigartinoides ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (P.Crouan & H.Crouan) P.Crouan & H.Crouan *'' Gracilaria gigas'' Harvey *'' Gracilaria glomerata'' Zhang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria gracilis'' (Stackhouse) Steentoft, L.M.Irvine & Farnham *'' Gracilaria gurgelii'' Freshwater *'' Gracilaria hainanensis'' C.F.Chang & B.M.Xia *''

Gracilaria halogenea ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' A.J.K.Millar *'' Gracilaria hancockii'' E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria hauckii'' P.C.Silva *'' Gracilaria hayi'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris *''

Gracilaria hermonii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Millar *'' Gracilaria heteroclada'' (Montagne) J.Feldmann & G.Feldmann *'' Gracilaria hikkaduwensis'' Durairatnam *'' Gracilaria howensis'' A.H.S.Lucas *''

Gracilaria huangii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' S.-M.Lin & De Clerck *'' Gracilaria hummii'' Hommersand & Freshwater *''

Gracilaria incrustata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria incurvata'' Okamura *''

Gracilaria indica ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' M.Umamaheswara Rao *'' Gracilaria intermedia'' J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria intermedia'' subsp. ''ganesanana'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.Norris *'' Gracilaria isabellana'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris *''

Gracilaria kanyakumariensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Umamaheswara Rao *'' Gracilaria khanjanapajiae'' Saengkaew, Muangmai & Zuccarello *'' Gracilaria kilakkaraiensis'' V.Krishnamurthy & Rajendran *''

Gracilaria lacerata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Setchell & N.L.Gardner *'' Gracilaria lantaensis'' Muangmai, Zuccarello, Noiraksa & Lewmanomont *''

Gracilaria latifrons ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' P.Crouan & H.Crouan *'' Gracilaria longa'' Gargiulo, De Masi & Tripodi *''

Gracilaria longirostris ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Zhang & Wang *''

Gracilaria mammillaris ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (Montagne) M.Howe *''

Gracilaria manilaensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Yamamoto & Trono *'' Gracilaria mannarensis'' Umamaheswara Rao *''

Gracilaria maramae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' G.R.South *'' Gracilaria marcialana'' E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria mayae'' A.J.K.Millar *''

Gracilaria megaspora ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (E.Y.Dawson) Papenfuss *''

Gracilaria mexicana ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Kützing) P.Crouan & H.Crouan *'' Gracilaria microcarpa'' Dreckmann, Núñez-Resendiz & Sentíes *''

Gracilaria microdendron ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria millardetii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Montagne) J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria millardetii'' f. ''crenulata'' J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria millardetii'' f. ''exposita'' Børgesen ** ''Gracilaria millardetii'' f. ''latifolia'' Børgesen ** ''Gracilaria millardetii'' f. ''linearifolia'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria minor'' (Sonder) Durairatnam *'' Gracilaria minuta'' Lewmanomont *''

Gracilaria mixta ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' I.A.Abbott, J.Zhang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria multifurcata'' Børgesen *'' Gracilaria multipartita'' (Clemente) Harvey ** ''Gracilaria multipartita'' f. ''prolifera'' E.S.Sinova ** ''Gracilaria multipartita'' f. ''supernediliatata'' E.S.Sinova ** ''Gracilaria multipartita'' var. ''crispa'' (Clemente) Cremades ** ''Gracilaria multipartita'' var. ''elongata'' (Clemente) Cremades *''

Gracilaria occidentalis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Børgesen) M.Bodard *''

Gracilaria oliveirarum ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris *''

Gracilaria opuntia ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Durairatnam *'' Gracilaria ornata'' Areschoug *'' Gracilaria pachydermatica'' Setchell & N.L.Gardner *'' Gracilaria pacifica'' I.A.Abbott *'' Gracilaria palmettoides'' P.Crouan & H.Crouan *''

Gracilaria papenfussii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' I.A.Abbott *''

Gracilaria parva ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Freshwater, B.Williamson, P.W.Gabrielson & Margarita Brandt *''

Gracilaria parvispora ''Gracilaria parvispora'', also known by the common names long ogo, red ogo, or simply ogo, is a large species of marine red alga in the genus ''Gracilaria'', endemic to Hawaii. It is highly sought after as an edible seaweed and is popular in m ...

'' I.A.Abbott *''

Gracilaria patens ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' P.Crouan & H.Crouan *''

Gracilaria pauciramosa ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (N.Rodríguez de Ríos) A.M.Bellorin, M.C.Oliveira, & E.C.Oliveira *''

Gracilaria percurrens ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (I.A.Abbott) I.A.Abbott *'' Gracilaria perplexa'' K.Byrne & Zuccarello *''

Gracilaria peruana ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Piccone & Grunow *'' Gracilaria phuquocensis'' N.H.Le, N.Muangmai & G.C.Zuccarello *''

Gracilaria pinnata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Setchell & N.L.Gardner *''

Gracilaria preissiana ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Sonder) Womersley *''

Gracilaria prolifica ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (Kützing) P.Crouan & H.Crouan *'' Gracilaria protea'' J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria pudumadamensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' V.Krishnamurthy & N.R.Rajendran *'' Gracilaria pulvinata'' Skottsberg *''

Gracilaria punctata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (Okamura) Yamada *''

Gracilaria pygmaea ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Børgesen *'' Gracilaria ramisecunda'' E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria ramulosa ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (Martius) Greville *'' Gracilaria rangiferina'' (Kützing) Piccone *''

Gracilaria reptans ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (Weber Bosse) P.C.Silva *'' Gracilaria rhodocaudata'' Yamamoto & Kudo *''

Gracilaria rhodymenioides ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' A.J.K.Millar *''

Gracilaria robusta ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' Setchell *''

Gracilaria rubra ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' C.F.Chang & B.M.Xia *''

Gracilaria rubrimembra ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria salicornia'' (C.Agardh) E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria salzmannii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Bornet ex Möbius *'' Gracilaria secunda'' (C.Agardh) Zanardini *'' Gracilaria secundata'' Harvey *'' Gracilaria secundata'' Setchell & N.L.Gardner *'' Gracilaria shimodensis'' Terada, R.& Yamamoto, H. *'' Gracilaria silviae'' Lyra, Gurgel, M.C.Oliveira & J.M.C.Nunes *'' Gracilaria skottsbergii'' W.R.Taylor *''

Gracilaria spinigera ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria spinuligera ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' Børgesen *'' Gracilaria spinulosa'' (Okamura) Chang & B.-M.Xia *'' Gracilaria srilankia'' (C.F.Chang & B.M.Xia) A.F.Withell, A.J.K.Millar & Kraft *'' Gracilaria stellata'' I.A.Abbott, Zhang & B.M.Xia *''

Gracilaria stipitata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' A.F.Withell, A.J.K.Millar & Kraft *'' Gracilaria sublittoralis'' Yamada & Segawa ex H.Yamamoto *'' Gracilaria subsecundata'' Setchell & N.L.Gardner *'' Gracilaria subtilis'' (B.M.Xia & I.A.Abbott) B.M.Xia & I.A.Abbott *''

Gracilaria sullivanii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Yamamoto & Trono *''

Gracilaria suzanneae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' L.P.Soares, C.F.D.Gurgel & M.T.Fujii *'' Gracilaria symmetrica'' E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria taiwanensis'' S.-M.Lin, L.-C.Liu & Payri *'' Gracilaria tenuissima'' Croaun & Crouan *''

Gracilaria tenuistipitata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' C.F.Chang & B.-M.Xia ** ''Gracilaria tenuistipitata'' var. ''liui'' Zhang & Xia ** ''Gracilaria tenuistipitata'' var. ''tenuistipitata'' C.F.Chang & B.M.Xia *''

Gracilaria tepocensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (E.Y.Dawson) E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria textorii'' (Suringar) Hariot ** ''Gracilaria textorii'' f. ''tenuis'' V.May ** ''Gracilaria textorii'' var. ''cunninghamii'' (Farlow) E.Y.Dawson *'' Gracilaria tikvahiae'' McLachlan *'' Gracilaria transtasmanica'' (M.Preuss, N.Muangmai and Zuccarello) G. M.Lyra, C.Iha, J.M.C.Nunes, C.C.Davis *'' Gracilaria tridactylites'' P.Crouan & H.Crouan ex J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria truncata'' Kraft *''

Gracilaria tsudae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' (I.A.Abbott & I.Meneses) I.A.Abbott *''

Gracilaria tuberculosa ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' (Hampe ex Kützing) J.Agardh *''

Gracilaria turgida ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria tuticorinensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' V.Krishnamurthy & Rajendran *'' Gracilaria urvillei'' (Montagne) I.A.Abbott *'' Gracilaria usneoides'' (C.Agardh) J.Agardh ** ''Gracilaria usneoides'' var. ''succosa'' J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria vanbosseae'' (I.A.Abbott) I.A.Abbott *'' Gracilaria veloroae'' E.Y.Dawson *''

Gracilaria venezuelensis ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' W.R.Taylor *''

Gracilaria vermiculata ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' P.J.L.Dangeard *'' Gracilaria vermiculophylla'' (Ohmi) Papenfuss ** ''Gracilaria vermiculophylla'' var. ''zhengii'' (J.F.Zhang & B.M.Xia) Yoshida ** ''Gracilaria verrucosa'' var. ''procerrima'' (Esper) M.P.Reis ** ''Gracilaria verrucosa'' var. ''ramulosa'' (C.Agardh) M.P.Reis *'' Gracilaria vieillardii'' P.C.Silva *''

Gracilaria vieirae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' M.P.Reis *'' Gracilaria viridis'' A.Sfriso, M.A.Wolf, K.Sciuto, M.Morabito, C.Andreoli & I.Moro *''

Gracilaria vivesii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (red algae, Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among ...

'' M.Howe *''

Gracilaria webervanbosseae ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae ( Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, Sout ...

'' Huisman & G.W.Saunders *''

Gracilaria wrightii ''Gracilaria'' is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South ...

'' (Turner) J.Agardh *'' Gracilaria xiae-abbotii'' G.M.Lyra, J.M.C.Nunes & C.C.Davis *'' Gracilaria yamamotoi'' Zhang & B.M.Xia *'' Gracilaria yinggehaiensis'' Xia & Wang *'' Gracilaria yoneshigueana'' Gurgel, Fredericq & J.N.Norris S

Distribution

''Gracilaria'' are found in warm waters throughout the world, though they also occur seasonally in temperate waters. It can not tolerate temperatures below . ''Gracilaria'' are found in all oceans except the

Arctic The Arctic ( or ) is a polar regions of Earth, polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Canada (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut), Danish Realm (Greenla ...

. Its center of diversity is the Western Pacific, where it has been traditionally cultivated as a source of

agar Agar ( or ), or agar-agar, is a jelly-like substance consisting of polysaccharides obtained from the cell walls of some species of red algae, primarily from ogonori (''Gracilaria'') and "tengusa" (''Gelidiaceae''). As found in nature, agar is ...

Use

''Gracilaria'' is used as a food in

Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...

, Hawaiian, Japanese, and

Korean cuisine Korean cuisine has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Originating from ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in Korea and southern Manchuria, Korean cuisine reflects a complex interaction of the natural envi ...

s. In Japanese cuisine, it is called ''ogonori'' or ''ogo''. In the

Philippines The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no), * bik, Republika kan Filipinas * ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas * cbk, República de Filipinas * hil, Republ ...

, it is called ''

gulaman ''Gulaman'', in Filipino cuisine, is a bar, or powdered form, of dried agar or carrageenan used to make jelly-like desserts. In common usage, it also usually refers to the refreshment ''sago't gulaman'', sometimes referred to as ''samalamig'' ...

'' and used to make

gelatin Gelatin or gelatine (from la, gelatus meaning "stiff" or "frozen") is a translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient, commonly derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. It is brittle when dry and rubbery when moist. It may also ...

. In

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

, it is known as ''Irish moss''. In Korea, it is known as ''kkosiraegi''. ''Gracilaria''

oligosaccharide An oligosaccharide (/ˌɑlɪgoʊˈsækəˌɹaɪd/; from the Greek ὀλίγος ''olígos'', "a few", and σάκχαρ ''sácchar'', "sugar") is a saccharide polymer containing a small number (typically two to ten) of monosaccharides (simple sugar ...

s with

degree of polymerization The degree of polymerization, or DP, is the number of monomeric units in a macromolecule or polymer or oligomer molecule. For a homopolymer, there is only one type of monomeric unit and the ''number-average'' degree of polymerization is given by ...

6 prepared by

agarase Agarase (, ''AgaA'', ''AgaB'', ''endo-beta-agarase'', ''agarose 3-glycanohydrolase'') is an enzyme with List of enzymes, systematic name ''agarose 4-glycanohydrolase''. It is found in agarolytic bacteria and is the first enzyme in the agar cataboli ...

digestion from agar-bearing ''Gracilaria'' sp.

polysaccharide Polysaccharides (), or polycarbohydrates, are the most abundant carbohydrates found in food. They are long chain polymeric carbohydrates composed of monosaccharide units bound together by glycosidic linkages. This carbohydrate can react with wa ...

s have been shown to be an effective prophylactic agent during ''

in vitro ''In vitro'' (meaning in glass, or ''in the glass'') studies are performed with microorganisms, cells, or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test-tube experiments", these studies in biology an ...

'' and ''

in vivo Studies that are ''in vivo'' (Latin for "within the living"; often not italicized in English) are those in which the effects of various biological entities are tested on whole, living organisms or cells, usually animals, including humans, and ...

'' experiments against Japanese encephalitis viral infection. The sulfated oligosaccharides from ''Gracilaria'' sp. seem to be promising candidates for further development as antiviral agents. In Japan, ''Gracilaria'' has been used to produce ''funori'' (), an agar-based glue, since the 17th century.

Aquarium trade

''Gracilaria'' commonly appears as a macroalgae for sale in the aquarium trade. It is a highly palatable algae to tangs and many other herbivorous fish, and its nutrient uptake ability makes it a suitable choice for a refugium.

Ecology

''Gracilaria'' are susceptible to infection by the parasitic oomycete ''

Pythium porphyrae ''Pythium porphyrae'', is a parasitism, parasitic species of oomycete in the family Pythiaceae. It is the cause of red rot disease or red wasting disease, also called ' () in Japanese language, Japanese. The Botanical name, specific epithet '' ...

''. Reproduction by ''Gracilaria gracilis'' is supported by ''

Idotea balthica ''Idotea balthica'' is a species of marine isopod which lives on seaweed and seagrass in the subtidal zone of rocky shores and sandy lagoons. Distribution ''Idotea balthica'' has a broad geographical distribution, having been recorded from the ...

'' – the first known case of an animal helping algae reproduce.

References

External links

Gracilaria and its Cultivation
(archived at the

Internet Archive The Internet Archive is an American digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It provides free public access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, software applications/games, music, ...

)
Gracilaria in the Suria Link Sea Plants Handbook
(archived at the Internet Archive) {{Taxonbar, from=Q3087307 Red algae genera Edible algae Seaweeds Gracilariales Edible seaweeds Marine biota of Asia Marine biota of North America