A full frame shot of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed found by the coast in South Devon.It forms a single bladders centrally in long, strap-like fronds. The fronds hang downwards, gently draping sheltered intertidal rocks. A number of fronds grow from each basal holfast, and the plant generally regenerates new fronds from the base when one of the larger fronds are damaged, so that the stands you see on the shore may be very persistant indeed.Usage: Ascophyllum is used for the extraction of alginic acid, a polysaccharide used in foods and in biotechnology.