Laminaria ochroleuca | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Stramenopiles |
Phylum: | Gyrista |
Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
Class: | Phaeophyceae |
Order: | Laminariales |
Family: | Laminariaceae |
Genus: | Laminaria |
Species: | L. ochroleuca
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Binomial name | |
Laminaria ochroleuca Bachelot de la Pylaie, 1824
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Laminaria ochroleuca is a large kelp, an alga in the order Laminariales.[1] They are commonly known as golden kelp, due to their blade colouration, distinguishing them from Laminaria hyperborea[2]
This large brown alga can grow to a length of 2 m. It has large leathery blades or fronds which grow from a stipe. The blade is without a midrib and divided into smooth linear sections. The stipe is stalk-like, stiff, smooth and attached to rocks by a claw-like holdfast.[1] It is similar to Laminaria hyperborea but it is more yellow in colour[3] and does not have the rough stipe of L. hyperborea.[1]
Despite initial belief that the species was declining, investigations in 2022 and 2023 displayed recent growth and abundance of new individuals.[4] It is suspected, however, that due to climate change, the range of Laminaria ochroleuca will shift north.[5] The ideal temperature for the sporophyte phase is 12-22 °C, while the gametophyte has a narrower range of 15-18 °C.[6]
The life-cycle is of the large diploid sporophyte alternating with the microscopic haploid stages producing female gametophytes which are fertilized by male gametophytes (sperm).[1]
This species is found in the Northern Hemisphere, from Morocco to the south of England [7] In the UK, it was first documented in Plymouth Sound in 1946 [8] and its range expansion continues due to climate change.[9] It was found on the northeast coast of England beyond the Humber estuary before 1965.
Laminaria ochroleuca has been shown to possess antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities, as well as a valuable source of nutrition.[10][11] Actinobacteria strains isolated from Laminaria ochroleuca also revealed anticancer capabilities.[12]