UK Seas
Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores
UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.
Laver
Porphyra umbilicalis
Type
Seaweed
Description
Rather flat and decidedly purplish in colour, this forms a slippery sheet on rocks when exposed to air by the tide. It doesn’t look very appetising, and is perhaps best obtained from farmed sources.
While carrageen is used as a common gelling agent in foodstuffs, laver is actually more popular as a food in itself. Cooked with vegetables or bacon, and seasoned, it makes great eating as “laverbread” or other foods. Dried, it is highly regarded in Japan and called “nori”, often used to wrap food in edible parcels, or as a seasoning.
Location
Most parts of UK, on all rocky coasts.
Habitat
Rocky shore, Middle shore