Skip to Content

Ulva compressa Linnaeus

Formerly widely known as Enteromorpha compressa.
Description: Compressed, elongated, hollow fronds with a green colour.
Habitat: Rock pools and sandy rocks, particularly in places with widely varying salinities such as upper-shore pools (below). Extremely tolderant to widely varying salinities and temperatures. Bubbles of oxygen (from photosynthesis) often apparent in the tubular fronds.
Distribution: Common through Britain and Ireland, and seemingly world-wide.
Similar species:
Ulva (Enteromorpha) intestinalis which tends to be more tubular.
Usage: Used dried in cooking, particularly with hens' eggs.

Entermorpha intestinalis, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva compressa, Ulva intestinalis

Species list

Photographs © M.D. Guiry

Ulva compressa
  • Bio AtlantisBioAtlantis provides sustainable technologies from the sea to enhance plant, animal and human health.
  • Connemara Organic Seaweed CompanyConnemara Organic Seaweed Company provide hand harvested, sustainable, kelp and seaweed products for human consumption through health supplements and edible products.
  • Emerald Isle Organic Irish SeaweedEmerald Isle Organic Irish Seaweed. A family business producing seaweed as supplements, cooking, gardening and bath products.
  • Irish Seaweeds LtdIrish Seaweeds Ltd are suppliers of 100% natural hand-harvested seaweeds and edible sea vegetable products from Ireland.