Formerly known as ''Sargassum echinocarpum'', ''Sargassum aquifolium'' is an abundant brown algae of the order

Fucales The Fucales (fucoids) are an order in the brown algae (class Phaeophyceae). The list of families in the Fucales, as well as additional taxonomic information on algae, is publicly accessible at Algaebaseref name="Guiry and Guiry">Guiry, M.D. and ...

, class

Phaeophyceae Brown algae (singular: alga), comprising the class Phaeophyceae, are a large group of multicellular algae, including many seaweeds located in colder waters within the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the temperate and po ...

, genus ''

Sargassum ''Sargassum'' is a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweed) in the order Fucales. Numerous species are distributed throughout the temperate and tropical oceans of the world, where they generally inhabit shallow water and coral re ...

''. In Hawaii, it is commonly known as limu kala. This alga is endemic to Hawaiʻi, one out of the four endemic species of endemic ''Sargassum''.

Description

''Sargassum aquifolium'' can reach up to 30 centimeters with a flat main branch and wide, short, spiny leaves. Size vary based on where they live, but ''S. aquifolium'' that live on reef flats are usually larger and more narrow. Leaves range from 2.54-10.16 centimeters (1-4 inches) in length and 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) in width. Leaves are golden-brown color with brown dots and a clear spine. Edges of leaves are smooth or spiny with toothlike edges. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' can float due to the pneumatocysts found on the leaves.

Distribution and Habitat

''Sargassum aquifolium'' is endemic to the Hawaiian islands. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' is the most common and largest species of ''Sargassum'' in Hawaii. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' can be found growing year-round in subtidal ranges with rocky terrain and reef flats. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' is common to wave-washed lava benches and can also be found in warm, calm tide pools with depths of more than 3 meters (10 feet). This seaweed grows in habitats where waves are present and moderate and usually thrives in the North Pacific where winter swells come in.

Human Use

Leaves of ''Sargassum aquifolium'' are used as food. The youngest leaves are picked and used because the older leaves are too tough to eat. Leaves are washed and are soaked in fresh water overnight and can then be used in food. It is usually chopped or ground up and combined with other seaweeds or cooked in soup. Whole leaves are deep fried into chips. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' is also eaten fresh at the beach with raw fish or octopus. ''Sargassum aquifolium'' is also used for fish bait.

Cultural Significance

Limu kala was believed to be among many of its kind ('' limu'', lit. 'seaweed') appearing in the first period of creation (''wā'') as mentioned in the

Kumulipo In Hawaiian religion, the Kumulipo is the creation chant, first recorded by Westerners in the 18th century. It also includes a genealogy of the members of Hawaiian royalty and was created in honor of Kalaninuiamamao and passed down orally to his ...

. It is often used in sacred ceremonies in Hawaiian culture. A ceremony called

Hoʻoponopono Hooponopono () is a traditional Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. The Hawaiian word translates into English simply as ''correction'', with the synonyms ''manage'' or ''supervise''. Similar forgiveness practices are performed on ...

used the leaves of the seaweed to pray to the gods and ask for forgiveness if they had offended anyone in the circle. This ceremony was usually done when a family was having problems and limu kala was used because it was associated with purification. Another use Hawaiians had for the seaweed was when they were going fishing. They would use the seaweed as bait for certain fishes. It gained the named limu honu after people realized that turtles enjoyed eating the seaweed too. S. aquifolium (limu kala) was also used in other healing and purifying ceremonies and adornment on hula dancers.

References

Fucales Taxa named by Jacob Georg Agardh {{phaeophyceae-stub