View source for Caulerpa

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Caulerpa
| image = Caulerpa prolifera.JPG
| image_width = 200px
| image_caption = ''Caulerpa prolifera''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Chlorophyta]]
| classis = [[Bryopsidophyceae]]
| ordo = [[Bryopsidales]]
| familia = [[Caulerpaceae]]
| genus = '''''Caulerpa'''''
| genus_authority = [[Jean Vincent Félix Lamouroux|J.V. Lamouroux]], 1809
| type_species = ''Caulerpa prolifera''
| type_species_authority = (Forsskål) J.V. Lamouroux, 1809
| subdivision_ranks = Species<ref name="Algaebase">{{cite web | url = http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=8295 | publisher = ''AlgaeBase version 4.2'' World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway | accessdate = 2007-09-23 | title = Genus: ''Caulerpa'' taxonomy browser | author = Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. | year = 2007 }}</ref>
| subdivision = 
About 86
}}

'''''Caulerpa''''' is a genus of [[seaweed]]s in the family [[Caulerpaceae]] (among the [[green alga]]e). They are unusual because they consist of only one cell with many [[cell nucleus|nuclei]], making them among the biggest single cells in the world. A species in the Mediterranean can have a stolon more than 3 metres (9 feet) long, with up to 200 fronds. 

Some species (especially ''[[Caulerpa lentillifera|C. lentillifera]]'' and ''C. racemosa'') are eaten under the names '''sea grape''' or '''green caviar'''.  They have a peppery taste.  Seagrapes are eaten in [[Indonesian cuisine]], sometimes fresh, and othertimes coated in [[sugar]]. They are raised in [[Cebu Province|Cebu]], for domestic consumption in the [[Philippines]] as well as export to [[Japan]].  Unconfirmed reports claim that the [[alkaloid]] [[Caulerpin]] found in seagrapes can sometimes cause [[poison]]ing.

Another species, ''[[Caulerpa taxifolia|C. taxifolia]]'', has become an invasive species in the [[Mediterranean Sea]], Australia and southern California (where it has been eradicated).  It is thought that ''Caulerpa'' species capable of surviving in temperate waters are freed from predators, in part contributing to invasive growth.  Most ''Caulerpa'' species evolved in tropical waters, where herbivores have an immunity to toxic compounds within the alga.  Temperate water herbivores have no natural immunity to these toxins, allowing ''Caulerpa'' to grow unchecked if introduced to temperate waters.  

In U.S. waters, the Mediterranean strain of ''Caulerpa taxifolia'' is listed as a federal noxious weed, under the Plant Protection Act.  The Aquatic Nuisance Species Taskforce has also created a National Management Plan for the Genus ''Caulerpa''. The state of California also prohibits possession of nine different species of ''Caulerpa''.

''Caulerpa'' is common in the aquarium hobby as a nitrate absorber because of its rapid growth under relatively adverse conditions. It may also be used in refugiums for a long term nitrite absorber.  Many introductions of invasive ''Caulerpa'' to the wild are thought to have occurred via aquarium dumping.

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

==External links==
*[http://www.fao.org/documents/show_cdr.asp?url_file=/DOCREP/006/Y4765E/y4765e0b.htm SEAWEEDS USED AS HUMAN FOOD]
*[http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=6963 ITIS report]
*[http://www.brookscole.com/biology_d/templates/student_resources/0030270448_tobin/webbit/ch04-01.html Largest Single Cell]

{{vegetable-stub}}
[[Category:Sea vegetables]]
[[Category:Algae genera]]