- Wildlife
- Seaweeds and grasses
- Sugar Kelp
About
Sugar Kelp (or 'Sugar Wrack') is a common 'kelp' seaweed which grows around the low water mark, attached to rocky shores up to 30 metres deep. It favours sheltered conditions. Sugar Kelp can live for up to four years and grows particularly quickly during early spring. Living up to its common name, Sugar Kelp is sweeter than other kelps, so is used in cooking from Scotland to Japan.
How to identify
Sugar Kelp is a large 'kelp' seaweed, dark browny-green, with a single broad frond that has a distinctive crinkly and wavy edge.
Where to find it
Common on rocky shores all around our coasts.
Habitats
When to find it
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
- October
- Novermber
- December
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
- September
How can people help
Seaweeds provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.