What is it?

Each winter when I see the remains of Kelp on the beach I am amazed by their structure.  I took this photograph of a tangle of stipes - this is the stem-like structure of Kelp. It is amazing stuff sometimes up to 100 feet long on the beach!  See below for more interesting info on the Giant Kelp of the California Coast.  On a funny note: Sometimes, when I am hungry and I see this picture it reminds me of french fries!  Seriously!

Off the coast of California, real forests can be found in the Pacific waters. These plants found here are called Giant Kelp. One plant can grow to 125 feet in length. Kelps are large brown seaweed found in temperate oceans around the world. However, kelps found on the Atlantic coast of the U.S. are much smaller than those found in the Pacific waters. Kelp beds & forests are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth. On the coast here - we see lots of smaller areas of anchored Giant Kelp. These are called Kelp Beds. Each winter much of these beds are cast upon the beach by winter waves and weather. However, Kelp regenerates quickly and by Spring many new beds repopulate along the coast.  That's fast!!!  Giant Kelp can grow up to 2 feet per day!

Click here for more information about Kelp