Turkish Towel

Chondracanthus exasperatus

Color: Red (Dark red to purple when young, red to yellow when older, can be iridescent when wet.)
Shape: Irregular Blade 
Texture: Bumpy
Size: 12–32”
Zone: Low intertidal and subtidal
Range: Alaska to Mexico

Description: Broad blade, irregular edges. Small discoid holdfast, one or more blades per hold fast. Covered with small bumps (papillae). 

Edibility: Used to make carrageenan

Distinctive characteristics: 

Collection notes: Can be used like a loofah

Phylum: Rhodophyta (Red Algae)
Previous names: Gigartina exasperata, Gigartina californica, Gigartina radula  
Similar species: Mastocarpus papillatus

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