SPIRULINA

Arthrospira platensis

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CLASSIFICATION—

Cyanobacterium

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Blue-green filamentous growth

Floating upon alkaline lakes

Collected from the water's surface

Dried into thin cakes or powder

 

SEASON—

Harvested during warm seasons

Gathered in calm water

Sun-dried after collection

 

ARCHIVE—

 

Spanish account of the Valley of Mexico, 16th century"The people gathered a substance called tecuitlatl from the lake and dried it for food."

 

Kanembu tradition — Lake ChadBlue-green algae dried into cakes known as dihé, prepared as food and traded within surrounding communities.

 

Scientific description, 19th centuryRecorded among naturally occurring blue-green growths of alkaline lakes.

 

CORRESPONDENCES—

Lake

Sun

Dry Season

Abundance

 

NAMES—

Spirulina

Arthrospira

Tecuitlatl

Dihé