Origin
Macrocystis is a typical Pacific alga and is widespread from Alaska to Mexico and Patagonia. Isolated occurrences have been found on the coasts of South Africa and Australia and New Zealand. Due to the length of the plants, depths of up to 40m can be colonised.
Appearance
The species forms tang forests, individual perennial plants can grow up to 60m long. Leaves with gas chambers are only formed at the end in the upper water layers.
Production
Macrocystis biomass is harvested wild, for this purpose the upper parts of the plant are cut off in a kelp forest and never the whole plants are removed.