Current Project Porphyra is a very important genus of the Rhodophyta. Almost 70 species have been identified throughout the world. However, only few species of Porphyra serve as commercial foods in Japan.
Porphyra blades are usually broad-lanceolate,thin and smooth with undulating margins.
The blades vary in color from yellow, olive, pink, to even purple, and may be half cells thick, often reaching 1m in length. The life cycle of Porphyra involves a heteromorphic alternation of generations, and it is the gametophyte which is eaten. Porphyra species are primarily intertidal, occurring mainly in temperate areas, but also in subtropical and Sub-Arctic regions. There are more than 10 species worldwide and many are difficult to distinguish from one another. Cultivation of Porphyra began in the 17th century almost concurrently, in Japan, Korea and China, and has since become one of the most important industries using shallow water areas in all of these countries.