Usually gold, brown, olive green, or olive brown in color, there are approximately 140 species of brown seaweeds in the Pacific Northwest.  Generally, they are the largest and the fastest growing of the seaweeds but a few species remain small.  Bull kelp, Nereocystis, can grow one to two feet per day, growing to be 100 feet long in a season.  Brown seaweeds are found from the intertidal area to about 15m deep depending on sun penetration in the water. Brown seaweeds (kelps) form the underwater forests of the oceans providing habitat for thousands of species.  They are a key food for many invertebrates, and kelps have been used by native cultures for tools and food.

Common Brown Seaweeds: