Alaria (alga)

Alaria
Alaria esculenta
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: Sar
Clade: Stramenopiles
Phylum: Ochrophyta
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Alariaceae
Genus: Alaria
Greville, 1830

Alaria is a genus of brown alga (Phaeophyceae) comprising approximately 17 species. Members of the genus are dried and eaten as a food in Western Europe, China, Korea, Japan (called sarumen), and South America. Distribution of the genus is a marker for climate change, as it relates to oceanic temperatures.

The most common species, Alaria esculenta is a large brown seaweed common on the shores of the British Isles. It has been studied for its potential for aquaculture.