Turkish Towel (Chondracanthus exasperatus)

Description: Turkish towel is named for the tiny projections covering the blades, giving it a rough towel-like appearance. It comes in dark red to purple colors. The blades normally grow in groups of 2 or 3 blades. Younger blades may not have as many prominent projections and instead be almost iridescent. Mature blades are normally around 50 cm long but they can occasionally reach up to 1 m long and 30 cm wide. While each main blade has its own holdfast attachment, there may be many other small blades (1 cm long) attached as well.

Habitat: This algae grows in the low intertidal to shallow subtidal zones. It ranges from Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.

Tide Pool Tidbits:

• Turkish towel is specifically farmed for use as a stabilizer for products ranging from cottage cheese to printer’s ink.

References: The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by J Duane Sept, Vic High Marine