Desmarestia, also known as acid weed, acid kelp, acidweed, sea sorrel, mermaid's hair, and landlady's wig is a genus of brown algae found worldwide. However, 'sea sorrel' can also specifically refer to Desmarestia viridis. Members of this genus can be either annual or perennial. Annual members of this genus store sulfuric acid in intracellular vacuoles. When exposed to air they release the acid, thereby destroying themselves and nearby seaweeds in the process. They are found in shallow intertidal zones.
Ingesting sulfuric acid can cause severe digestive disturbances, but since sulfuric acid tastes extremely sour, members of the genus are unlikely to be eaten in harmful quantities.
The genus was named in honor of Anselme Gaëtan Desmarest.
Species AlgaeBase lists 32 currently accepted species within the genus Desmarestia, not including variations and subspecies.
Desmarestia aculeata (L.) J.V.Lamouroux - Type specimen for the genus Desmarestia anceps (Montagne) Desmarestia antarctica (R.L.Moe & P.C.Silva) Desmarestia chordalis (J.D.Hooker & Harvey) Desmarestia confervoides (Bory de Saint-Vincent) M.E.Ramírez & A.F.Peters Desmarestia distans (C.Agardh) J.Agardh Desmarestia dudresnayi J.V.Lamouroux ex Léman Desmarestia farcta Setchell & Gardner Desmarestia filamentosa E.Y.Dawson Desmarestia firma (C.Agardh) Skottsberg Desmarestia foliacea V.A.Pease Desmarestia gayana Montagne Desmarestia herbacea (Turner) J.V.Lamouroux Desmarestia inanis Postels & Ruprecht Desmarestia intermedia Postels & Ruprecht Desmarestia kurilensis Yamada Desmarestia latifrons (Ruprecht) Kützing Desmarestia latissima Setchell & Gardner Desmarestia ligulata (Stackhouse) J.V.Lamouroux Desmarestia menziesii J.Agardh Desmarestia muelleri M.E.Ramírez & A.F.Peters Desmarestia munda Setchell & N.L.Gardner Desmarestia patagonica Asensi Desmarestia peruviana Montagne Desmarestia pinnatinervia Montagne Desmarestia pteridoides Reinsch Desmarestia rossii J.D.Hooker & Harvey Desmarestia sivertsenii Baardseth Desmarestia tabacoides Okamura Desmarestia tortuosa A.R.O. Chapman Desmarestia tropica W.R.Taylor - tropical acidweed Desmarestia viridis (O.F.Müller) J.V.Lamouroux - stringy acid kelp, green acid kelp, Desmarest's green weed, or sea sorrel
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