Small seagrape (Caulerpa lentillifera)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Plantae · Phylum: Chlorophyta · Class: Ulvophyceae · Order: Bryopsidales · Family: Caulerpaceae · Genus: Caulerpa.

Accepted name: Caulerpa lentillifera · Authority: J.Agardh, 1837 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 211475.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Ahnfeldtia lentillifera (J.Agardh) Trevisan, 1849; Caulerpa kilneri J.Agardh, 1873; Caulerpa lentillifera var. kilneri (J.Agardh) Weber-van Bosse, 1898; Caulerpa lentillifera var. longistipitata Weber-van Bosse, 1901; Caulerpa longistipitata (Weber-van Bosse) Svedelius, 1906; Chauvinia lentillifera (J.Agardh) Kützing, 1849; Chauvinia microphysa Kützing, 1863.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211475 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Caulerpa lentillifera. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 1–59 m · Habitat zone: sessile · Fishery importance: highly commercial.

SeaLifeBase notes: Highly favoured for human consumption due to its soft and succulent texture; has a high mineral content (Ca, K, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn); also used as medicine: antifungal, lowers blood pressure (Ref. 80758). Commonly inhabits shallow, sandy to muddy lagoon and reef flats which are not exposed during low tides and where the water is generally calm. It may form an extensive bed in exceptionally good habitats. Commercially farmed in ponds and lagoons and is the most popular edible species of Caulerpa (Ref. 80758).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 127291) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Caulerpa-lentillifera.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

699 georeferenced occurrence records for Caulerpa lentillifera are published through GBIF from 39 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 179 distinct locations from a sample of 699 records, omitting 39 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (365); Philippines (58); Indonesia (35); Tanzania, United Republic of (35); Papua New Guinea (21); United States of America (20); Kenya (17); Malaysia (14); Mauritius (13); Singapore (13); Egypt (10); Marshall Islands (10); India (8); Thailand (8); Sri Lanka (6).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Madagascar; Kenyan Exclusive Economic Zone; Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone; Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone; Somali Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; Indian Ocean.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2642878) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2642878&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=211475 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

It is a siphonous macroalgae, meaning it is a giant single cell with multiple nuclei, and can grow to 30 cm in length. Instead of leaves, the algae has bubbles that burst in the mouth, releasing an umami taste.

C. lentillifera has a genome of 34Mb, which was sequenced at the University of Amsterdam and published on 21 January 2025 although it has yet to be assembled into chromosomes. Unusually it has just one Receptor-like kinase (RLK), normally the largest class of signal transduction components in plants.

Traditionally, C. lentillifera were harvested directly from the wild. The first commercial cultivation of C. lentillifera was in the 1950s in Cebu, Philippines, after accidental introduction of C. lentillifera to fish ponds. Currently, there are around 400 hectares of ponds on Cebu, producing around 12 to 15 tons of fresh C. lentillifera per year. They are usually harvested after two months from first planting, and every two weeks afterwards depending on growth rates.

Commercial cultivation was followed by Japan in 1986, where it was cultivated in tanks in the warmer waters of Okinawa. Commercial cultivation has since spread to other countries, including Vietnam, Taiwan, and China (in Fujian and Hainan). Most are for domestic consumption, but they are also exported to Japan.

Caulerpa lentillifera, along with C. racemosa, have been traditionally eaten in the cuisines of Southeast Asia, Oceania, and East Asia. They are almost always eaten raw on their own or in salads. They have been described as tasting "like the ocean." It is known to be rich in iodine.

In the Philippines, C. lentillifera is usually known as latô or arosep. After being washed in clean water, it is usually eaten raw in salads (ensaladang latô), with chopped raw shallots and fresh tomatoes, and dressed with a blend of fish sauce or bagoóng (fish paste) and vinegar. Its popularity has also spread to the Malaysian state of Sabah (where it is spelled latok) due to the migrations of the Bajau peoples. They are also coveted by coastal Malay communities (as latoh) in the Riau Archipelago and Singapore, the latter until they were displaced inland late 20th century.

In Okinawa, Japan, it is known as, meaning "sea grapes", or kubiretsuta. It is served dipped in ponzu, made into sushi, added into salads, or eaten as is.

Caulerpa lentillifera is also eaten in Vietnam, where it is known as rong nho or rong nho biển, meaning "grape algae" or "sea grape algae"; in Korea, where it is known as bada podo (바다포도), also meaning "sea grapes"; and in Indonesia (particularly Bali), where it is known as bulung.

Source: Wikipedia: Caulerpa lentillifera — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caulerpa_lentillifera (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.