Agarophyte

An agarophyte is a seaweed, usually a red alga, that produces the hydrocolloid agar in its cell walls.

[1] This agar can be harvested commercially for use in biological experiments and culturing.

In some countries (especially in the developing world), the harvesting of agarophytes, either as natural stocks or a cultivated crop, is of considerable economic importance.

Notable genera of commercially exploited agarophytes include Gracilaria and Gelidium (such as Gelidium amansii and Gelidium corneum).

This Rhodophyta-related article is a stub.