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Name derivation:

Agarum : L. agari= agar, an old word for mushroom or a type of fungus; also algal gelatin (Malay)

A. clathratus = a lattice or grating, pierced with openings

Common names = devil’s apron, sea colander; sieve kelp, or shotgun kelp

Classification:

Agarum Dumortier 1822; there are currently 45 species of which 6 have been taxonomically accepted.

Order Laminariales; Family Costariaceae

Morphology:

A kelp with a single flattened blade, a conspicuous central midrib, and perforated holes in its blade

Similar genera:

Laminaria, Saccharina & Saccorhiza

Habitat:

In the NW Atlantic, found in the mid to deep subtidal zone, often found in urchin barren. Rarely found with epiphytes, nor consumed by urchin, presumably due to its chemical characteristics.

References:

Dumortier, B.-C. 1822. Commentationes botanicae. Observations botaniques, dédiées à la Société d'Horticulture de Tournay. pp. [i], [1]-116, [1, tabl., err.]. Tournay: Imprimerie de Ch. Casterman-Dieu, Rue de pont No. 10.

Guiry, M.D., and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 16 January 2013.

Taylor, W. R. 1957. Marine Algae of the Northeastern Coast of North America. Revised edition. Univ. Michigan Press., Ann Arbor, ix + 509 pp. (as Agarum cribrosum)