Split Kelp (Laminaria setchellii)

Description: Split kelp is named for the many splits in its blade giving it many thin blades that share a base right before the round stipe. The stipe and the blade may be equal length, up to 80 cm long each! Width of the blade is about 25 cm total with nearly even split segments. The kelp is brown to black in color.

Habitat: Using it’s holdfast, the split kelp is found on rocks in the low intertidal into the start of the subtidal zone. Their strong holdfast allows them to live in the exposed habitats that get hit by strong waves without detaching. They range from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Even when out of the water, their stiff stipe keeps them standing upright.

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