Ulva lactuca

Linnaeus, 1753

Sea Lettuce

Range: Distribution is worldwide for this species - Europe, North America, Central America, Caribbean, South America, Africa, Indian Ocean, southwest Asia, China, Pacific Islands, and New Zealand.

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky nutrient rich inshore areas and is somewhat thin, flat and slightly ruffled leaves and somewhat sheet-like can often reach 12 inches (30 cm) across, yet generally smaller.

Aquarium Suitability: Rarely seen in the trade. Generally grows quite quickly. Usually, fish will eat this soft alga quite quickly, making its existence in aquariums quite short-lived.

Taxonomy:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Chlorophyta

Class: Ulvophyceae

Order: Ulvales

Family: Ulvaceae

Genus: Ulva

FYI: Previously classified under the genus Enteromorpha.

Used for cooking, soups, and with meats, fish and salads for human needs.