Botany - Algae

Scientific name Fucus vesiculosus
Appearance Brown marine algae with flat, elongated thalli, with air-filled vesicles in pairs along the branches, allowing buoyancy
Smell Marine, iodized, moist, and slightly sulfurous
Color Olive brown to dark brown, sometimes leaning towards green depending on conditions
Used parts Whole thallus dried or fresh
Origins Rocky coasts of the North Atlantic, the Baltic Sea, and the English Channel
Toxicity level Moderate (rich in iodine, may affect the thyroid if overconsumed)