Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)

Scientific Name: Chondrus crispus

Number of Blades/Leaves: Multiple 

Blade/Leaf Width: 10cm-20cm

Color: Red 

Distribution: Chondrus crispus is common all around the shores of Ireland and can also be found along the coast of Europe including Iceland, the Faroe Islands.western Baltic Sea to southern Spain. It is found on the Atlantic coasts of Canada and recorded from California in the United States to Japan.

Description: Chondrus crispus is a relatively small sea algae, reaching up to a little more than 20 cm in length. It grows from a discoid holdfast and branches four or five times in a dichotomous, fan-like manner. The morphology is highly variable, especially the broadness of the thalli. The branches are 2–15 mm broad and firm in texture, and the color ranges from light to dark green, dark red, purple, brown, yellowish, and white.