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Southern Sea Palm
Eisenia arborea
33.3424, -118.32
Field Notes
Description:
Eisenia arborea, or the southern sea palm (not to be confused with the sea palm), is a species of kelp found in the intertidal zones of the Eastern Pacific from Vancouver Island, Canada south to Isla Magdalena, Mexico. It is an edible seaweed, a source of nutrients for grazing marine invertebrates and a source of alginic acid, a food thickener. The alga has a large, thick stipe above its holdfast with two branches terminating in multiple blades. E. arborea is studied for its for the morphological variation in its blades due to intertidal forces.
Habitat:
The Lover's Cove Marine Preserve at Catalina Island is a marine sanctuary protected by the State of California. Lover's Cove is host to clean, clear waters, free of mainland pollution and surf. The cove's undersea gardens harbor dozens of species of fish and invertebrates. Bright orange Garibaldi will eat right out of your hand.
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