Dabberlocks

Scientific Name: Alaria esculenta

Number of Blades/Leaves: N/A

Blade/Leaf Width: 10mm

Distribution: Alaria esculenta is widely distributed around the world throughout Europe occurring in Greenland, Iceland, Faroes, Norway, France, Helgoland, Netherlands. And in North America, found along the coasts of Alaska, Labrador and also Massachusetts. It is the only one of twelve species of Alaria to occur in both Ireland and in Great Britain. It is common on shores where there is severe wave exposure attached to rocks just below the low-watermark in the “Laminaria belt,” and is common on rocky shores in exposed places.

Description: Alaria esculenta, also known as dabberlocks, badderlocks, or winged kelp grows to a maximum length of 2m. The whole frond is brown and consists of a distinct midrib with a wavy membranous lamina that grows up to 7cm wide on either side. The frond is unbranched and tapers towards the end. The base has a short stipe arising from a rhizoidal holdfast. The stipe may bear several sporophylls which are club-shaped and up to 20cm long and 5cm broad which bear the spores. It grows from a short cylindrical stipe attached to the rocks by a holdfast of branching root-like rhizoids and grows to about 20cm long. The stipe is continued into the frond forming a long conspicuous midrib.