Abstract
Numerous species of marine algae occur in the Caribbean (Taylor 1960), but little use is made of these seaweeds. An exception is ‘seamoss’, which is exploited in various areas. Seamoss is not an explicit term, and, depending upon the locale, refers to one or more species in several genera (Nichols et al. 1983). Whatever the species, the preparation is similar, and consists of crude, hot-water extraction or complete hydrolysis of the seaweed, yielding a gel or viscous polysaccharide. Sugar and various spices are added, and the preparation is served as a porridge-like concoction or a drink that may contain alcohol Seamoss is popular in many of the West Indian islands, and some of this popularity is certainly attributable to its alleged aphrodisiac properties.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Doty, M. S., 1980. Outplanting Eucheuma species and Gracilaria species in the tropics. In I. A. Abbott, M. S. Foster & L. F. Eklund (eds.), Pacific Seaweed Aquaculture. California Sea Grant College Program, Univ. Calif., La Jolla: 19–22.
Doty, M. S. & V. B. Alvarez, 1975. Status, problems, advances and economics of Eucheuma farms. Mar. Technol. Soc. J. 9: 30–35.
Goldstein, M. E., 1973. Regeneration and vegetative propagation of the agarophyte Gracilaria debilis (ForskÅl) Børgesen (Rhodophyceae). Bot. mar. 16: 226–228.
Nichols, K., A. H. Smith & J. McLachlan, 1983. The sea moss industry of the West Indies, with special reference to St. Lucia (in ms.).
Taylor, W. R., 1960. Marine algae of the eastern tropical and subtropical coasts of the Americas. University of Michigan Press, 870 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1984 Dr W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht
About this paper
Cite this paper
Smith, A.H., Nichols, K., McLachlan, J. (1984). Cultivation of seamoss (Gracilaria) in St. Lucia, West Indies. In: Bird, C.J., Ragan, M.A. (eds) Eleventh International Seaweed Symposium. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6560-7_46
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-6560-7_46
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-009-6562-1
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-6560-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive