Desmarestia
Desmarestia, also known as acid weed, acid kelp, acidweed, sea sorrel, mermaid's hair, and landlady's wig is a genus of brown algae found worldwide. 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 store sulfuric acid in intracellular vacuoles. When exposed to air they release the acid, thereby destroying themselves and nearby seaweeds in the process. They are found in shallow intertidal zones.
Ingesting sulfuric acid can cause severe digestive disturbances, but since sulfuric acid tastes extremely sour, members of the genus are unlikely to be eaten in harmful quantities.
The genus was named in honor of Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest.
Species
AlgaeBase lists 32 currently accepted species within the genus Desmarestia, not including variations and subspecies.Desmarestia aculeata J.V.Lamouroux - Type specimen for the genusDesmarestia anceps Desmarestia antarctica Desmarestia chordalis Desmarestia confervoides M.E.Ramírez & A.F.PetersDesmarestia distans J.AgardhDesmarestia dudresnayi J.V.Lamouroux ex LémanDesmarestia farcta Setchell & GardnerDesmarestia filamentosa E.Y.DawsonDesmarestia firma SkottsbergDesmarestia foliacea V.A.PeaseDesmarestia gayana MontagneDesmarestia herbacea J.V.LamourouxDesmarestia inanis Postels & RuprechtDesmarestia intermedia Postels & RuprechtDesmarestia kurilensis YamadaDesmarestia latifrons KützingDesmarestia latissima Setchell & GardnerDesmarestia ligulata J.V.LamourouxDesmarestia menziesii J.AgardhDesmarestia muelleri M.E.Ramírez & A.F.PetersDesmarestia munda Setchell & N.L.GardnerDesmarestia patagonica AsensiDesmarestia peruviana MontagneDesmarestia pinnatinervia MontagneDesmarestia pteridoides ReinschDesmarestia rossii J.D.Hooker & HarveyDesmarestia sivertsenii BaardsethDesmarestia tabacoides OkamuraDesmarestia tortuosa A.R.O. ChapmanDesmarestia tropica W.R.Taylor - tropical acidweedDesmarestia viridis J.V.Lamouroux - stringy acid kelp, green acid kelp, Desmarest's green weed, or sea sorrel