A genus of fast-growing green seaweed that looks like a tiny plant with roots, stems, and leaf-like structures, even though it's actually a single giant cell.
From New Latin, combining Greek 'kaulos' (stem) and 'herpe' (creeping or spreading). Named in the early 19th century to describe this remarkable genus of green algae.
Caulerpa is one of nature's wildest freaks—a single cell so huge you can see it with your naked eye, with fake 'roots' and 'leaves' that trick people into thinking it's a plant. Some species became invasive disasters when aquarium hobbyists released them into the Mediterranean.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.