Branched sea cushion (Codium edule)

Classification (WoRMS)

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

Accepted name: Codium edule · Authority: P.C.Silva, 1952 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 374214.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=374214 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

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

Depth range: 2–48 m · Habitat zone: sessile · Fishery importance: commercial.

SeaLifeBase notes: Used as food by humans; commonly sold fresh in the markets in Northern Luzon, Philippines (Ref. 80758). Maximum depth from Ref. 102150. Attached to coralline or sand-covered rocks in lower intertidal to subtidal areas at depths of 1.8 to 4.6 m (Ref. 80758).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 127141) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Codium-edule.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

531 georeferenced occurrence records for Codium edule are published through GBIF from 12 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 39 distinct locations from a sample of 531 records, omitting 7 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: United States of America (477); Micronesia (Federated States of) (13); United States Minor Outlying Islands (10); Mexico (6); Philippines (6); Palau (6); Japan (5); Indonesia (3); Papua New Guinea (2); Guam (1); Kiribati (1); Vanuatu (1).

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 5272086) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=5272086&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=374214 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Codium edule is a fleshy, dark green seaweed, with a soft, spongy texture. Its repeatedly forked branches lie flat and attach to surfaces, forming mats that incorporate coral rubble, rocks, and shells. The fronds of C. edule are split in two or three ways, are round, and get thinner at the ends. The branches are 3-5 mm wide and are held together or to the substratum by small, cushion-like holdfasts.

Codium edule is found in the Indo-Pacific region. It grows in many places from Hawaii to the Federated States of Micronesia to Papua New Guinea, and as far west as Indonesia.

In the Hawaiian Islands, the type location is Waikiki. It grows in intertidal zones and tide pools found at 6 to 10 ft deep, and likes attaching itself to coral rubble and broken shells. As a result, this forms clumps of dark green soft branches that are split into smaller parts.

Codium edule serves various purposes, including human food, medicinal applications, animal feed, fish meal, and fertilizer. Although it can be kept in the fridge for an extended period, it tastes best when consumed within 10 days of foraging. It can be enjoyed as a side dish with fish, seafood, or stew, or mixed with other types of seaweed. The limu needs first to be washed carefully as grains of sand, pieces of shells and other debris get caught in the mats.

Source: Wikipedia: Codium edule — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codium_edule (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.