Common marine algae that are "kelp"

NameNotes
dabberlocks Alaria esculenta (alariaceae)
Key criteria: With a distinct northern and western distribution pattern this large perennial species is a common inhabitant of the lower intertidal on very exposed and wave-battered shores. lower intertidal intertidal exposed
oar weed Laminaria digitata (laminariaceae)
Key criteria: A widely distributed and common kelp usually dominating rocky shores at or just below low water mark. Under-recorded from stretches of the sandy/muddy coastline of eastern England. mud sand rock
mermaid's tresses Chorda filum (chordaceae)
Key criteria: A large distinctive cord-like widespread and locally abundant species found in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal usually on pebbles and shell fragments in sheltered localities. A summer annual. lower intertidal intertidal shallow subtidal subtidal sheltered
no common name Halosiphon tomentosus (halosiphonaceae)
Key criteria: A very rare fairly small quite distinctive which shows a preference for sand- covered stones and shell fragments. Morphologically similar to juvenile plants of Chorda filum it differs from the latter by being distinctly clothed in a halo of long brown hairs. sand
forest or northern kelp or cuvie Laminaria hyperborea (laminariaceae)
Key criteria: The dominant forest-forming kelp in the subtidal. Lack of suitable rocky shores on stretches of eastern England account for its absence in this region. subtidal rock
sugar kelp Saccharina latissima (laminariaceae)
Key criteria: A common and distinctive kelp in lower intertidal pools and on rocks from low water mark downwards especially in slightly sheltered sites. In the subtidal it is characteristic of intermittently disturbed sites. lower intertidal intertidal subtidal rock sheltered pool
golden kelp Laminaria ochroleuca (laminariaceae)
Key criteria: A large kelp similar in morphology to Laminaria hyperborea but usually recognisable from its more yellow colour. Apparently confined to south-western Britain and unknown in Ireland. rock
furbellows Saccorhiza polyschides (phyllariaceae)
Key criteria: A large very distinctive and locally common kelp occupying the low water mark and shallow subtidal of moderately exposed shores with a predominantly southern and western distribution pattern. shallow subtidal subtidal exposed
wakame Undaria pinnatifida (alariaceae)
Key criteria: A large alien kelp species first reported for Southampton Water in 1994. All the distributional records relate to its occurrence on floating pontoons and associated structures at marinas with surprisingly only two reports (at the Hamble Estuary and Torquay) of its spread into the subtidal of adjacent shores. subtidal

A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. F. G. Hardy and M. D. Guiry. The British Phycological Society, 2003. ISBN 0 9527115 16 Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Bunker, Brodie, Maggs and Bunker. Seasearch 2012.