| Sargassum aquifolium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
| Clade: | SAR |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Phylum: | Gyrista |
| Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
| Class: | Phaeophyceae |
| Order: | Fucales |
| Family: | Sargassaceae |
| Genus: | Sargassum |
| Species: |
S. aquifolium
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sargassum aquifolium | |
Formerly known as Sargassum echinocarpum, Sargassum aquifolium is an abundant brown algae of the order Fucales, class Phaeophyceae, genus Sargassum.[1] In Hawaii, it is commonly known as limu kala.[2] This alga is endemic to Hawaiʻi, one out of the four endemic species of Sargassum.[2]
Sargassum aquifolium can reach up to 30 centimeters with a flat main branch and wide, short, spiny leaves.[2] Size vary based on where they live, but S. aquifolium that live on reef flats are usually larger and more narrow.[2] Leaves range from 2.54–10.16 centimeters (1–4 inches) in length and 1.27 centimeters (0.5 inches) in width.[3] Leaves are golden-brown color with brown dots and a clear spine.[3] Edges of leaves are smooth or spiny with toothlike edges.[3] Sargassum aquifolium can float due to the pneumatocysts found on the leaves.[4]
Sargassum aquifolium is endemic to the Hawaiian islands.[4] Sargassum aquifolium is the most common and largest species of Sargassum in Hawaii.[2] Sargassum aquifolium can be found growing year-round in subtidal ranges with rocky terrain and reef flats.[5] Sargassum aquifolium is common to wave-washed lava benches and can also be found in warm, calm tide pools with depths of more than 3 meters (10 feet).[5] This seaweed grows in habitats where waves are present and moderate and usually thrives in the North Pacific where winter swells come in.[5]
Leaves of Sargassum aquifolium are used as food.[3] The youngest leaves are picked and used because the older leaves are too tough to eat.[3] Leaves are washed and are soaked in fresh water overnight and can then be used in food.[3] It is usually chopped or ground up and combined with other seaweeds or cooked in soup.[3] Whole leaves are deep fried into chips.[3] Sargassum aquifolium is also eaten fresh at the beach with raw fish or octopus.[6] Sargassum aquifolium is also used for fish bait.[3]
Limu kala was believed to be among many of its kind (limu, lit. 'seaweed') appearing in the first period of creation (wā) as mentioned in the Kumulipo.[7]
It is often used in sacred ceremonies in Hawaiian culture.[4] A ceremony called Hoʻoponopono used the leaves of the seaweed to pray to the gods and ask for forgiveness if they had offended anyone in the circle.[8] This ceremony was usually done when a family was having problems and limu kala was used because it was associated with purification.[8] Another use Hawaiians had for the seaweed was when they were going fishing.[8] They would use the seaweed as bait for certain fishes.[8] It gained the named limu honu after people realized that turtles enjoyed eating the seaweed too.[8] S. aquifolium (limu kala) was also used in other healing and purifying ceremonies and adornment on hula dancers.[9] In July 2023, Hawaii's governor signed Act 230 legislation designating limu kala as the state's official limu.[10]
| Sargassum aquifolium |
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