Bladderwrack

/ˈblædərræk/ noun

Definition

A common brown seaweed found on rocky shores that has air-filled bladders running through its fronds to keep it buoyant.

Etymology

From Old English 'blædre' (bladder) + 'wrack' (seaweed). The species Fucus vesiculosus has distinctive paired bladders that give it both its name and its floating ability.

Kelly Says

Medieval people harvested bladderwrack to burn for ash (called 'kelp') to make glass and soap, and it's still used in skincare today—a seaweed that literally shaped industrial history!

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