Sea Grapes & Green Sea Feathers (Caulerpa)
Sea Grapes & Green Sea Feathers
Selection
Pinch off the upright branches leaving the roots to re-grow. Handle gently as some types bruise easily.
Storage
Place plants in a bucket of seawater after picking. Keep in a sack or wrapped in leaves and in the shade. The plants should not be refrigerated or frozen.
Preparation
- Wash plants well before use.
- Can be eaten fresh in salads and pairs well with bread, yam, or breadfruit.
- Can also be cooked in coconut milk.
- (Novaczek, 2001)
Photo Source
Wikimedia
Caulerpa
Sea grapes and green sea feathers can be found attached to coral, sand, or mud in back reef areas and reef channels. Some unspecified types might cause an allergic reaction such as dizziness, numbness, and/or difficulty breathing (Novaczek, 2001).
Sea Grapes
Grow from branchlets on traveling roots. Underwater, the plant shines in different colors and in various branchlet shapes that may appear to be round, oval, gathered, or spread out.
Green Sea Feathers
Looks like feathers attached to upright branches underwater. The plant may be short or tall and yellow-green in color.
Traditional Names
- Palauan – char
- Samoan –limu fua fua