Bladder wrack

Fucus vesiculosus aka Rockweed
Harvested to
Oct
Harvested from
- May

The name derives from the air bladders in its fronds that help the plant sit up in the water, maximising exposure to light and absorption of nutrients.

This plant grows abundantly in the mid shore, spending an equal amount of time both under and out of water.

High polyphenol (antioxidant) levels give this plant a bitter taste.

Typical uses

Ideal for nutraceuticals and low inclusions as a fantastic stealth health ingredient.

Our recommended applications for bladder wrack

Toothed wrack

Fucus serratus aka Serrated wrack or saw wrack
Harvested to
Dec
Harvested from
- Jun

It is named after its saw toothed-like edges of its flat bladed fronds.

This species thrives on gently sloping coasts, usually just below bladder wrack.

It can be found on all but the most exposed shores and accessed on most low tides.

Typical uses

Toothed wrack is very versatile, with uses ranging from pickles to a stealth health ingredient in vegan recipe formulation.

Our recommended applications for toothed wrack

Spiral wrack

Fucus spiralis aka Flat wrack
Harvested to
Dec
Harvested from
- Feb

A small olive brown plant that grows with a twist in the frond.

It thrives on the upper shore of rocky coastlines, just below Channelled wrack. Living on the upper shore, it is very tolerant of desiccation and can survive out of the water for long periods.

Typical uses

Spiral wrack is a little-known seaweed with great potential. It does not have the astringency that is characteristic of other seaweeds in the wrack family, making it fantastic in broths, bakery, in fact in just about anything savoury.

Our recommended applications for spiral wrack

Knotted wrack

Ascophyllum nodosum aka Atlantic kelp, rockweed or egg wrack
Harvested to
Oct
Harvested from
- Apr

It grows in long fronds with egg-shaped bladders that keep the plant floating when the tide comes in to maximise exposure to the Scottish sunlight!

An abundant species on sheltered coastlines and estuaries. It often is the dominant species of the intertidal zone but rarely found on exposed coasts with high wave action.

Typical uses

Our powdered knotted wrack makes for a fantastic additive to smoothies, baking and seafood pastas. It is also a very nutritious supplement, perfect for nutraceuticals, and has proven oral health benefits for dogs.

Our recommended applications for knotted wrack

Channelled wrack

Pelvetia canaliculata aka Channel wrack, Sea sprigs
Harvested to
Oct
Harvested from
- Feb

Channelled wrack is a small green-brown seaweed with a branched, curling frond that creates a groove running up the plant.

It lives on rocks at the top of the tidal zone. It is highly adapted to survive out of the water for days at a time.

Typical uses

This species is used as an ingredient for cosmetic products.

Our recommended applications for channelled wrack

Months of wild harvest wrack production

We have developed a detailed knowledge of harvest seasons. Specifically, it may be possible to pick small quantities of a variety early in a season, but we delay first harvest until the rates reach commercial scale. Indicative seasons for our key species are given below. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about production months.

Species January February March April May June July August September October November December
Bladder wrack
Fucus vesiculosus
Bladder wrack thumbnail
Is available during January Is available during February Is available during March Is available during April Is available during May Is currently not available during June Is currently not available during July Is currently not available during August Is currently not available during September Is available during October Is available during November Is available during December
Toothed wrack
Fucus serratus
Toothed wrack thumbnail
Is available during January Is available during February Is available during March Is available during April Is available during May Is available during June Is currently not available during July Is currently not available during August Is currently not available during September Is currently not available during October Is currently not available during November Is available during December
Spiral wrack
Fucus spiralis
Spiral wrack thumbnail
Is available during January Is available during February Is currently not available during March Is currently not available during April Is currently not available during May Is currently not available during June Is currently not available during July Is currently not available during August Is currently not available during September Is currently not available during October Is currently not available during November Is available during December
Knotted wrack
Ascophyllum nodosum
Knotted wrack thumbnail
Is available during January Is available during February Is available during March Is available during April Is currently not available during May Is currently not available during June Is currently not available during July Is currently not available during August Is currently not available during September Is available during October Is available during November Is available during December
Channelled wrack
Pelvetia canaliculata
Channelled wrack thumbnail
Is available during January Is available during February Is currently not available during March Is currently not available during April Is currently not available during May Is currently not available during June Is currently not available during July Is currently not available during August Is currently not available during September Is available during October Is available during November Is available during December

Case studies in the wracks industry

The rest of our species line-up