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National Invasive Species Information Center
U.S. Department of Agriculture
  1. Home
  2. Aquatic Invasives
  3. Aquatic Plants
  4. Caulerpa, Mediterranean Clone

Caulerpa, Mediterranean Clone

Scientific Name

Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agandh (ITIS; name is accepted but unverified)

Common Name

Caulerpa, Mediterranean clone; Killer algae

Native To

Native to several tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world (Wright 2005)

Date of U.S. Introduction

2000 (Diaz et al. 2012)

Means of Introduction

Aquarium trade (Diaz et al. 2012)

Impact

Crowds out native species (Woodfield 2008)

Caulerpa, Mediterranean clone

Mediterranean clone of caulerpa, plants

Credit

Photo by Rachel Woodfield; Merkel & Associates, Inc.

Source
Invasive.org.

Find more images

Spotlights

  • San Diego Area Agencies Responding to Discovery of Invasive Seaweed in San Diego Bay

    • Nov 16, 2023

    • Port of San Diego (California).

    • The Port of San Diego, along with the Southern California Caulerpa Action Team (SCCAT), the City of Coronado, and the Coronado Cays Homeowners Association (CCHOA), are responding to the discovery of an invasive seaweed scientifically known as Caulerpa prolifera in the Coronado Cays area of San Diego Bay.

      In late September, divers found a small patch of Caulerpa prolifera while conducting an in-water pre-construction eelgrass/Caulerpa dive survey as a permit condition for a dock replacement project. Additional patches were discovered nearby during follow-up surveys. The total find within the Cays is about one-quarter of an acre. The SCCAT has prepared a Rapid Response Eradication Plan to address the immediate need to eradicate this invasive species.

Distribution / Maps / Survey Status

Federally Regulated

  • Noxious Weeds Program

    • USDA. APHIS. Plant Protection and Quarantine.

    • Includes species listed as a Federal Noxious Weed under the Plant Protection Act, which makes it illegal in the U.S. to import or transport between states without a permit.

Videos

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Selected Resources

The section below contains highly relevant resources for this species, organized by source.

Council or Task Force
Partnership
Federal Government
International Government
Academic
Professional
Citations