Sea Lettuce

Scientific Name: Ulva lactuca

Category: plant

A vibrant green edible seaweed often found in tide pools or washed up on beaches in the Puget Sound area.

Sheet-like, bright green, translucent fronds that are only two cells thick. It has an irregular shape and looks similar to garden lettuce leaves.

Intertidal zones, tide pools, and shallow coastal waters. It can grow attached to rocks or floating freely.

Observed year-round, but grows most vigorously during spring and summer months.

N/A

Provides food and shelter for various marine organisms including sea slugs, fish, and birds. It can also indicate nutrient-rich water.

Monostroma (looks very similar but is only one cell layer thick) and Spongomorpha (green filament seaweed).

Look for it during low tide in rocky intertidal areas. Since it is very thin, handle it gently as it tears easily.

Sea lettuce is rich in vitamins and minerals like iodine and iron; many cultures use it in salads, soups, and sushi.

Puget sound