| Authority: J.V. Lamouroux |
Type species: Acanthophora spicifera (M. Vahl) Børgesen |
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| Commercial species: spicifera (SPI) |
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| Common names: soft spineweed |
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| Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum Rhodophyta, Class Rhodophyceae, Subclass Florideophycidae, Order Ceramiales, Family Rhodomelaceae. |
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| AlgaeBase names and species: 16 names - 6 current as of 12-2001. |
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Acanthophora Production
click country to go to GIS |
Tons per annum
wild harvest |
Tons per annum
cultivated |
| Philippines |
n/a |
n/a |
| Vietnam |
n/a |
n/a |
| Total |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
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Production
Production figures from recent years are being sought. |
Biology & Agronomy
Acanthophora is not known to be cultivated and has established itself as an "alien and invasive alga" in Hawaii; possibly beginning in the 1950s after being introduced as a fouling organism on ships. |
Chemistry
A source of galactans that have no known current commercial use. |
Processing
None known. |
Products, Uses & Applications
Acanthophora is fairly common and evident in many of tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans and is reputedly eaten as a fresh vegetable in the same manner as with Kappaphycus in some countries including the Philippines and Vietnam. |
| List of species' uses and community affiliations |
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| Genus |
GenID |
SpID |
Species |
Uses |
Communities |
| Acanthophora |
AC |
SPI |
spicifera |
FH, FI |
BP, SV |
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| click to relevant uses or communities on the index/legend table below>>> |
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 to uses to communities  |
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| Acanthophora is most strongly associated with the Biopolymer and Seavegetables communities. |
