Page 283 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods
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Feather Boa Kelp, Egregia
menziesii (LESSINIACEAE)
FEATHER BOA KELP is the only species in the ge- EDIBLE PARTS: Fronds tend to be tough and leathery,
nus Egregia. It is a common native along the western but the air sacks are often referred to as kelp olives.
coast of North America on rocky substrates. It often
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Often used in salt therapy
grows with giant kelp in kelp forests.
baths to cleanse pores and skin. Extracts of feath-
TIDAL ZONE: Common in the subtidal zone to depths er boa kelp have been found to inhibit the spread of
of up to 65 ft. (20m). It can also be found around the some tumor and cancer cells.
low tide line, but is slightly stunted.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Along some parts of
FROND: There is a lot of variation within the species. the coast, feather boa kelp is only exposed during low
Fronds can grow up to 50 ft. (15m) long, but more of- spring tides, so it’s important to time your foraging
ten are between 16-33 ft. (5-10m) long. They are dark with these extreme low tide events. Otherwise, it may
olive green to brown in color with a heavily branched be wash ashore after a storm. When harvesting the
stipe at the base. Each long frond consists of a cen- air sacks from feather boa kelp, remember to spread
tral, rough textured, flat ribbon that is fringed with your foraging activities across multiple specimens
smooth, strap-like blades that are approximately and fronds so that the kelp still has its mechanism
2 inches (5cm) long, giving it a feather boa appear- for buoyancy. Some people find the texture too leath-
ance. These blades vary hugely in appearance; they ery and the taste of this kelp too metallic, but the air
are thick, textured and spatula-shaped in the north, sacks are particularly delicious and are best harvest-
while thinner and smooth in the south, or both. The ed in April, May and June.
fronds have oval-shaped air sacks interspersed along
BLANCHED FEATHER BOA KELP “OLIVES”: Ingre-
the length of them for buoyancy.
dients: 2 cups of feather boa kelp air sacks, 1 tbsp. salt,
HOLDFAST AND STIPE: The holdfast can grow up to 1 cup of water. Blanch the air sacks quickly and place
10 inches (25cm) in diameter on older kelps and can them in the salty water overnight. Drain and serve on
look like twisted roots. The stipe is multibranched a platter with pickled vegetables and cheeses.
but very short compared to the long fronds.
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