See text Lessonia is a genus of large kelp native to the southern Pacific Ocean.

It is the only kelp to be restricted to the southern hemisphere and is primarily distributed along the coasts of South America, New Zealand, Tasmania, and the Antarctic islands.

[3] By studying the harvesting of these wild populations of Lessonia kelp marine biologists are able to analyze the effects of this activity on wildlife.

[8] The genus name of Lessonia is in honour of René Primevère Lesson (1794–1849), who was a French surgeon, naturalist, ornithologist, and herpetologist.

[10] Recent studies have provided evidence of cryptic speciation within Lessonia including L. nigrescens in Chile[11] and L. variegata in New Zealand.

[16] Species of Lessonia are very difficult to identify based on morphological characteristics, as the kelp are very plastic.

A big factor in the morphology is the wave exposure, as Lessonia is found across a verity of habitats.

[17] Chile produces over 300,000 dry tons of seaweed per year, with more than 11,000 people are employed in the industry, and almost all of it Lessonia.

[19] Several Lessonia species grow in Argentina, but the situation is similar there, with very little algae cultivation or harvesting.

[21] Tasmania cultivated a wide variety of algae, including L. corrugata (referred to as Tasmanian Kombu).