What is "laminaria"

Laminaria \Lam`i*na"ri*a\, n. [NL. See Lamina.] (Bot.) A genus of great seaweeds with long and broad fronds; kelp, or devil's apron. The fronds commonly grow in clusters, and are sometimes from thirty to fifty feet in length. See Illust. of Kelp.

Laminaria is a genus of 31 species of brown algae commonly called " kelp". Some species are also referred to as tangle. This economically important genus is characterized by long, leathery laminae and relatively large size. Some species are referred to by the common name Devil's apron, due to their shape, or sea colander, due to the perforations present on the lamina. It is found in the north Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific Ocean at depths from (exceptionally to in the warmer waters of the Mediterranean Sea and off Brazil).

According to C.Michael Hogan the life cycle of the genus involves a diploid generational system.

Laminaria japonica (J. E. Areschoug — Japón) is now regarded as a synonym of Saccharina japonica and Laminaria saccharina is now classified as Saccharina latissima.