It is also called acid weed, acidweed,[2][3] oseille de mer, sea sorrel,[4] ウルシグサ (urushi-gusa), stacheltang, mermaid's hair, landlady's wig, or gruagach.

[6] Annual members of this genus store sulfuric acid in intracellular vacuoles.

When exposed to air they release the acid, thereby destroying themselves and nearby seaweeds in the process.

[7] but since sulfuric acid tastes extremely sour, members of the genus are unlikely to be eaten in harmful quantities.

[1] AlgaeBase lists 32 currently accepted species within the genus Desmarestia, not including variations and subspecies.