Purple Irish Moss (Chondrus) Wet, Live, Whole leaf, 1 Pint Volume

from $100.00
Quantity (1 Pint Volume):

Click Here for Dried Irish Moss

Live, Wet Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)

Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), also known as Sea Moss or Purple Irish Moss, is a beautiful red seaweed found along the rocky intertidal zones of Maine’s coast. Its branching, fan-like fronds range from deep maroon to wine red and are prized for their texture, resilience, and scientific importance. Collected fresh from cold Atlantic waters, Irish Moss is ideal for classroom studies, aquariums, and research in marine biology or phycology.

This species is well known for its high carrageenan content—a natural polysaccharide used in food science and cosmetics—as well as its role in coastal ecosystems as shelter for small invertebrates. Sustainably hand-harvested by cutting the fronds from their rocky holdfasts, each portion is shipped fresh and ready for use.

Key Facts:
Common names: Irish moss, sea moss, purple Irish moss
Scientific name:Chondrus crispus
Colors: Dark red, maroon, wine-colored; black when dried
Size: 2" – 6" long fronds
Collected: By hand, cut off rocks
Quantity: 1 pint volume
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Click Here for Dried Irish Moss

Live, Wet Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus)

Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus), also known as Sea Moss or Purple Irish Moss, is a beautiful red seaweed found along the rocky intertidal zones of Maine’s coast. Its branching, fan-like fronds range from deep maroon to wine red and are prized for their texture, resilience, and scientific importance. Collected fresh from cold Atlantic waters, Irish Moss is ideal for classroom studies, aquariums, and research in marine biology or phycology.

This species is well known for its high carrageenan content—a natural polysaccharide used in food science and cosmetics—as well as its role in coastal ecosystems as shelter for small invertebrates. Sustainably hand-harvested by cutting the fronds from their rocky holdfasts, each portion is shipped fresh and ready for use.

Key Facts:
Common names: Irish moss, sea moss, purple Irish moss
Scientific name:Chondrus crispus
Colors: Dark red, maroon, wine-colored; black when dried
Size: 2" – 6" long fronds
Collected: By hand, cut off rocks
Quantity: 1 pint volume
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.

Frond of Irish moss in the sunlight.

Frond of Irish moss in the sunlight.

Irish Moss is a red algae or seaweed found up and down the Atlantic Coast. Go to a real tide pool with Tidepool Tim to learn about this popular seaweed. See how it grows, and learn about its historical uses by humans.

Tidepool Tim says,  “Irish moss is one of the most celebrated seaweeds of all time. Widely known for its ability to be used in products for human consumption, especially for its carrageenan producing abilities. It works well as a thickening agent in products like ice cream, shampoos, and other foods. Irish Moss is becoming especially popular lately as a nutrient dense addition to a healthy diet, however moss has been harvested for centuries all along European shores, in the U.K., in the Canadian maritime provinces, and down along the coasts of New England. Moss fronds are commonly coated with various species of bryozoans and the clumps themselves are home to periwinkle snails, isopods, and even worms.”