''Pyropia'' is a genus of
red algae
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 ...
eaweedin the family
Bangiaceae. It is found around the world in intertidal zones and shallow water. The genus has folding frond-like blades which are either red, brown or green. Some ''Pyropia'' species are used to create
nori, and are thus important subjects for aquaculture.
Taxonomy
''Pyropia'' was originally erected by
Jacob Georg Agardh, a botanist and professor at
Lund University. Before this, and sometimes after, many species of ''Pyropia'' were placed in ''
Porphyra'', a different genus of red alga. New species of ''Pyropia'' are still being discovered, for example in 2013 research done on New Zealand plants was able to move ''
Pyropia plicata'' from ''Porphyra''.
Description
''Pyropia'' species are red algae with a discoid
holdfast and short stipe. They have folded blades, which are membranous and