Sea Cauliflower (Leathesia marina)

Description: Sea cauliflower gets its name from its bumpy texture. It is yellow to yellow-brown in color and forms hollow, spongy, cushions that are smooth to the touch. Individual pieces of this algae are 1-6 cm across but may grow closely with other individuals to form a lumpy carpet.

Habitat: This algae can live on rocks or as an epiphyte on other kinds of seaweed. It is often found from the high to low intertidal zone and often in both protected to semi-exposed habitats. The range of this algae extends from the Bering Sea to Baja California, Mexico.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Young sea cauliflower is solid but becomes hollow as it matures.

References: Seaweeds of Alaska, The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept