Wrack (science)

Wrack is the common name for several species of seaweed in the family Fucaceae. "Pelvetia canaliculata" (L.) Dcne. et Thur., "Fucus spiralis" L., "Fucus vesiculosus" L., "Ascophyllum nodosum" (L.) Le Jol. and "Fucus serratus" L. are the most common examples to be found in the British Isles. Others are: "Fucus ceranoides" L.; "Fucus cottonii" M.J.Wynne and Magne; "Fucus distichus" L., and "Fucus evanescans" C.Agardh.d

These algae are large and being common have "common" names in English. "F. serratus" is known as "Toothed Wrack"; "Fucus vesiculosus" is known as "Bladder Wrack"; "Fucus spiralis" is known as "Spiral Wrack"; "Ascophyllum nodosum" is known as "Knotted Wrack" and "Pelvetia canaliculata" is known as "Channelled Wrack".

These species along, with others, are found world-wide. For more information, see the species names or genus name:
* Genus "Ascophyllum":
** "Ascophyllum nodosum" (L.) Le Jolis. Europe, north-eastern North America.
* Genus "Fucus":
** "Fucus distichus" L. California, (USA).
** "Fucus edentarulus" De la Pylaie. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus evanescens" C.Agardh. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus filiformis" Gmelin. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus gardneri" Silva. Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands.
** "Fucus miclonensis" De la Pylaie. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus serratus" L.Europe. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus spiralis" L.Europe. Northeastern North America.
** "Fucus vesiculosus" L. Europe,including Greenland; northeastern North America.
* Genus "Hesperophycus":
** "Hesperophycus harveyanus" (Decne.) S.& G. California, (USA).
* Genus "Pelvetia":
** "Pelvetia canaliculata" (L.) Decaisne and Thuret. Hope Island British Columbia (Canada); San Luis Obispo County, California (USA).
** "Pelvetia fastigiata" (J.Ag.) DeToni. California (USA).
* Genus "Pelvetiopsis":
** "Pelvetiopsis arborescens" Gardn. California (USA).
** "Pelvetiopsis limitata" Gardn. California (USA).

Further references

http://www.pznow.co.uk/marine/wrack.html