Genus
Desmarestia
Desmarestia herbacea. Photo: (c) Liam O’Brien, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Desmarestia is a genus of brown algae found worldwide. It is also called acid weed, acidweed, oseille de mer, sea sorrel, ウルシグサ (urushi-gusa), stacheltang, mermaid’s hair, landlady’s wig, or gruagach. However, ‘sea sorrel’ can also specifically refer to Desmarestia viridis. Members of this genus can be either annual or perennial. Annual members of this genus can produce and store sulfuric acid in intracellular vacuoles. When exposed to air they release the acid, thereby…
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