Occurrence and use of Compsopogon coeruleus (Rhodophyta: Compsopogonaceae) in Fiji,South Pacific |
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| Authors: | G Robin South Posa A Skelton |
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| Institution: | 1. International Ocean Institute Regional Centre for Australia and the Western Pacific , P.O. Box 1539, Townsville, Q, 4810, Australia E-mail: robin.south@impac.org.au;2. International Ocean Institute Regional Centre for Australia and the Western Pacific , P.O. Box 1539, Townsville, Q, 4810, Australia |
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| Abstract: | The rhodophyte Compsopogon coeruleus (Balbis ex C. Agardh) Montagne is newly recorded from Fiji, South Pacific. Plants occur in dense masses in the Wainivesi River in the province of Tailevu. Local villagers collect the plants and use them to cook a “pudding” with tinned fish, very similar to “puddings” prepared by coastal Fijians using marine species such as Gracilaria and Hypnea. This is the first documented account of the use of Compsopogon as a gelling agent in the preparation of human food. |
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| Keywords: | Compsopogon coeruleus Rhodophyta Fiji uses |
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