Lacy Red Weed (Euthora cristata)
Lacy Red Weed (Euthora cristata)
Common name: lacy red weed, red sea fern
Scientific name: Euthora cristata
Locations: sub-tidal on low tide rocks & ledges, or attached to kelp holdfasts & storm cast on beaches
Seasonality: available year round
Colors: bright apple red
Size: 1" - 3"
Collected: by hand
Quantity: 1 pint volume
Tidepool Tim says, “Since this red weed is a deepwater species we do not see much of it in or around the tidepools. I am not certain in the identification of this species. In the fall when sea urchin and scallop dragging (dredges) start plying our local bays we do see plenty of it washing up on our beaches. On the outer shoreline along the open ocean, it is common to find bits of it on the beaches or in amongst kelps and other tidepool seaweeds. This seaweed also is a nice addition to any cold-water collection or aquarium because of its beautiful delicate structure and nice bright colors. The fronds resemble tiny woodland ferns or blood filled capillaries in a fishes fins. Often we will supply this reddish 'sea-fern' to our customers attached to kelp.”