Irish Moss

Irish Moss is the common name for a red ALGAE (Chondrus crispus), but may also refer to 1 or 2 other red SEAWEEDS (Gigartina stellata and Furcellaria lumbricalis). C. crispus, the only species of the genus in the Atlantic Ocean, occurs from New Jersey to Labrador, and is most abundant in NS and the lower Gulf of St Lawrence. The plants are perennial, grow on rock in lower tidal and subtidal zones, and arise from disclike "holdfasts." Commonly, the fronds are up to 15 cm high, branched (usually in one plane only) and fan-shaped. The colour varies (dark red, purple, yellow-green), depending on physiological conditions. Dried plants are nearly black. A life cycle consisting of 2 independent and structurally similar phases (sexual and asexual) has been demonstrated in the laboratory.

Irish moss is Canada's most valuable commercial seaweed. Originally used in blancmanges and milk jellies, it is still available in "natural food" stores. The dried plants are used to clarify beers, wines, coffee and honey. Since WWII, major exploitation has been for extraction of hydrocolloids (substances yielding gel when water is added, eg, carrageenians) used in convenience foods. Carrageenan is not processed in Canada, and thousands of tonnes of Irish moss are exported annually. AQUACULTURE trials, in tanks and pools, have been carried out in NS.

Author J. MCLACHLAN

Links to Other Sites
The Plant List
Search this online database for information about one million plant species from around the world. Also, click on "major plant groups" at the bottom of the page to browse descriptions of species of interest. Fungi and algae are excluded. From the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK and the Missouri Botanical Garden in the US.

Harvests of Prince Edward Island
The "Harvests of Prince Edward Island" project utilizes the collections and resources of the Island's community museums to explore a number of the harvests which have been important to the Island's history. From the Community Museums Association of Prince Edward Island and the Virtual Museum of Canada.

Flora of North America
The FNA website features information on the names, taxonomic relationships, continent-wide distributions, and morphological characteristics of all plants native and naturalized found in North America north of Mexico.

Tree of Life
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