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Irish Moss

Seaweeds and Macroalgae

Chondrus crispus, commonly called Irish moss or carrageenan moss, is a species of red algae that grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. Fresh specimens are soft and cartilaginous, varying in color from greenish yellow through red to dark purple or purplish brown, and its principal constituent is the polysaccharide carrageenan, which makes up 55 percent of its dry weight alongside nearly 10 percent protein and about 15 percent mineral matter, with the alga rich in iodine and sulfur. Because of its abundant cell wall polysaccharides it forms a jelly when boiled, holding 20 to 100 times its own weight in water.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Photosynthetic Autotroph 1
System (Realm)
Marine 2
Living or Extinct
Yes 3
Scientific Name
Chondrus crispus 4
Conservation Status
Not Evaluated 5
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Florideophyceae, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Irish Moss

In Biome

Source Wikipedia: Chondrus crispus
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Wikipedia: Chondrus crispusDistribution: Canadatier 2
Quote, Distribution: Canada
It is found on the Atlantic coasts of Canada and recorded from California in the United States to Japan.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Wikipedia: Chondrus crispusDistribution: Japantier 2
Quote, Distribution: Japan
It is found on the Atlantic coasts of Canada and recorded from California in the United States to Japan.

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Wikipedia: Chondrus crispusDistribution: United Statestier 2
Quote, Distribution: United States
It is found on the Atlantic coasts of Canada and recorded from California in the United States to Japan.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Chondrus crispus
Wikipedia
  • Lead, sentence naming the group it belongs to
    Chondrus crispus-commonly called Irish moss or carrageenan moss (Irish carraigín, "little rock"), is a species of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky parts of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.
  • In Group: Red Algae (Rhodophyta), Lead, group
    is a species of red algae
  • In Biome: Intertidal Zone, Habitat: Intertidal Zone
    Chondrus crispus is found growing on rock from the middle intertidal zone into the subtidal zone, all the way to the ocean floor.
View the Source
2. World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)View the Source
3. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ4963539, descriptionView the Source
4. Wikidata: Irish Moss
Child Taxon Of: Florideophyceae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
5. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Chondrus crispus
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 5279115, category field
Quote, GBIF taxon key 5279115, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
View the Source
Wikipedia: Algae
WikipediaLead, whole group is photosynthetic
Quote, Lead, whole group is photosynthetic
are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms.
View the Source
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