Kelp
Macrocystis pyrifera · KELP
Not Evaluated
EdibleFriendly
Superpower
Grows up to 60 cm in a single day — among the fastest growth on Earth.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 1500 cm, up to 4500 cm
- Lifespan
- 7–10 years
- Depth
- 2–40 m
Habitat
Cool, clear, nutrient-rich coastal waters on rocky seabeds.
Diet
Photosynthesises sunlight; absorbs nutrients from seawater.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 6/10.
How to cook: Dried as kombu for broth, or eaten fresh in salads.
Fun facts
- Giant kelp is an algae, not a plant, and can grow 60 cm in one day.
- Gas-filled floats called pneumatocysts hold the blades up toward the light.
- Kelp forests shelter sea otters, fish and countless invertebrates.