BLADDERWRACK

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PLANT—

Flat olive fronds divided along a central rib
Paired air bladders holding the plant above water
Growth fixed to rock rather than sand
Fronds thickening where tide runs strong

 

SEASON—

Harvested at low tide
Often gathered late summer into autumn
Storm-cast material collected after weather
Dried and stored for winter

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ARCHIVE—

“Sea Wracke groweth plentifully upon the shore, where the sea casteth it up in great abundance.”

— Gerard, 1597

 

English herbal record, 16th century

“Sea wrack growing upon rocks by the shore is gathered after the tide is gone out, and being dried, is laid up for use.”

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John Lightfoot — Flora Scotica, 1777

“Cast ashore in great quantities after storms.”

— Lightfoot, 1777

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​“Iodine was first obtained from the ashes of sea-wracke.”

— chemical record following Courtois, 1812

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​​CORRESPONDENCES—

Tide
Rock
Salt
Winter stores

 

NAMES—

Bladderwrack
Sea wrack
Wrack

Sea Oak

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