Limu (algae)
Polynesian edible underwater plants
title: "Limu (algae)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["edible-seaweeds", "native-hawaiian-cuisine", "niuean-cuisine", "samoan-cuisine", "tokelauan-cuisine", "tongan-cuisine", "tuvaluan-cuisine", "wallis-and-futuna-cuisine", "algae-of-hawaii", "polynesian-cuisine"] description: "Polynesian edible underwater plants" topic_path: "general/edible-seaweeds" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limu_(algae)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Polynesian edible underwater plants ::
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Ahi_limu_poke.jpg" caption="poke]]: raw fish with limu"] ::
Limu, otherwise known as rimu, remu or imu (from Proto-Austronesian *limut) is a general Polynesian term for edible plants living near or underwater, such as algae. In Hawaii, there are approximately one hundred names for kinds of limu, sixty of which can be matched with scientific names.{{Cite web | url = http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/ethnobotany/pdf/Limu-092107AKC.pdf | title = Limu | accessdate = 2008-09-05 | first = Isabella | last = Aiona Abbott | website = }} Hundreds of species of marine algae were once found in Hawaii. Many limu are edible, and used in the cuisine throughout most of Polynesia.
Uses
Several species of limu are used as food throughout Polynesia and is typically eaten raw as accompaniment to meals, usually fish.
In Hawaii, limu was seen as a major component of the Hawaiian diet alongside fish and poi. Hawaiians cultivated several varieties of seaweed for food as well as to feed fish farmed within fish ponds. As many as 75 types of limu were used for food, more than the 35 used in Japanese cuisine, which is also well known for its use of seaweed. In modern times, limu is often used as a condiment, typically in raw fish dishes such as poke.
Limu was used in hoʻoponopono, the ancient Hawaiian process of conflict resolution. Injured and accused parties gathered to pray, seek forgiveness and eat limu kala leaves as a symbol of reconciliation. It is also used in traditional hula attire and as medicine.
Due to the shape of its foliage, the Maori also applied the name rimu to the native tree Dacrydium cupressinum.
Types
Limu comes from multiple genera
Cook Islands
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Turbinaria ornata (Australia).jpg | 70px]] | Crowned sea bells (Turbinaria ornata) | Remu taratara (Rarotonga and Mauke), Rimu taratara (Aitutaki), Limu (Pukapuka) |
| [[File:Sargassum - 1.jpg | 70px]] | Double-edge sargassum (Sargassum aquifolium) | Rimu akau |
| [[File:Hydroclathrus sp.jpg | 70px]] | Open-sponge seaweed (Hydroclathrus clathratus) | Remu oma (Rarotonga) |
| [[File:Sargassum - 1.jpg | 70px]] | Sargassum obtusifolium (Sargassum obtusifolium) | Remu {{okina}}ūmoemoe (Rarotonga) |
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | Remu kai (Rarotonga and Mauke), Remu kōnini (Mangaia), Rimu kai (Aitutaki) |
| [[File:Padina boryana.JPG | 70px]] | Turkeytail seaweed (Padina boryana) | Remu ta{{okina}}iri{{okina}}iri (Rarotonga) |
| :: |
Easter Island
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Dictyopteris membranacea herbarium item.jpg | 70px]] | Dictyopteris australis (Dictyopteris australis) | Auke |
| [[File:Sargassum - 1.jpg | 70px]] | Sargassum obtusifolium (Sargassum obtusifolium) | Miritoni |
| :: |
French Polynesia
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Caulerpa cupressoides in Harvey 1858.JPG | 70px]] | Cactus tree alga (Caulerpa cupressoides) | Mama{{okina}}ga (Rapan) |
| Chnoospora minima (Chnoospora minima) | Imu keikei aoa (Marquesan) | url=https://journals.openedition.org/jso/pdf/1481 | |
| [[File:Cladophora.JPG | 70px]] | Cladophora patentiramea (Cladophora patentiramea) | Imu ouoho (Marquesan) |
| [[File:Gracilaria sp.jpg | 70px]] | Gracilaria (Gracilaria) | Remu {{okina}}ura (Tahitian) |
| [[File:Ulva flexuosa subsp. paradoxa Crouan.jpg | 70px]] | Grass kelp (Enteromorpha flexuosa) | Imu vai (Marquesan) |
| [[File:Codium arabicum.jpg | 70px]] | Green sea cushion (Codium arabicum) | Imu tutae kioe (Marquesan) |
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | {{okina}}onini (Tahitian), Imu topua (Marquesan), Remu vine (Austral), Konini (Rapan) |
| [[File:Sea lettuce in Brofjorden 1 - cropped.jpg | 70px]] | Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) | Rimu miti (Tahitian), Imu kokuu (Marquesan) |
| :: |
Hawaii
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Codium sp..jpg | 70px]] | Antler seaweed (Codium reediae) | Limu a{{okina}}ala{{okina}}ula |
| [[File:Codium sp.jpg | 70px]] | Branched sea cushion (Codium edule) | Limu wawae{{okina}}iole |
| [[File:Ulva sp Jurmo24072018.jpg | 70px]] | Branched string lettuce (Ulva prolifera) | Limu {{okina}}ele{{okina}}ele |
| [[File:FMIB 52480 Champia parvula, magnified.jpeg | 70px]] | Champia (Champia) | Limu {{okina}}o{{okina}}olu |
| [[File:Chondria-capillaris-19980602b.jpg | 70px]] | Chondria tenuissima (Chondria tenuissima) | Limu {{okina}}o{{okina}}olu |
| [[File:Chylocladia kaliformis.jpg | 70px]] | Chylocladia (Chylocladia) | Limu akuila, Limu kihe |
| [[File:Turbinaria ornata (Australia).jpg | 70px]] | Crowned sea bells (Turbinaria ornata) | Limu kahili |
| [[File:Dictyopteris membranacea herbarium item.jpg | 70px]] | Dictyopteris (Dictyopteris) | Limu lipoa |
| [[File:Dictyota dichotoma 43980064.jpg | 70px]] | Dictyota (Dictyota) | Limu alani |
| [[File:Sargassum - 1.jpg | 70px]] | Double-edge sargassum (Sargassum aquifolium) | Limu kala |
| [[File:FMIB 53642 Rhodophycees ou Floridees (Algues rouges) Grateloupia filicina (Wulf) J Ag.jpeg | 70px]] | Grateloupia filicina (Grateloupia filicina) | Limu huluhuluwaena |
| [[File:Gelidium sp.jpg | 70px]] | Gelidium (Gelidium) | Limu loloa |
| [[File:Griffithsia corallinoides Crouan.jpg | 70px]] | Griffithsia (Griffithsia) | Moʻopunaakalīpoa, Moʻopuna |
| [[File:Gymnogongrus torulosus (Hook.f. and Harv.) Schmitz (AM AK295286-1).jpg | 70px]] | Gymnogongrus (Gymnogongrus) | Limu koele |
| [[File:Halymenia floresii.jpg | 70px]] | Halymenia formosa (Halymenia formosa) | Lepelepe-o-Hina |
| [[File:Laurencia Aquarium of the Pacific.jpg | 70px]] | Laurencia nidifica (Laurencia nidifica) | Limu mane{{okina}}one{{okina}}o |
| [[File:Purple Laver (Porphyra umbilicalis) - Oslo, Norway 2020-08-12 (03).jpg | 70px]] | Laver (Porphyra) | Limu luau, Lipahe{{okina}}e |
| [[File:Martensia spp, Bittangabee Bay, Beowa National Park NSW.jpg | 70px]] | Martensia fragilis (Martensia fragilis) | Limu ha{{okina}}ula |
| [[File:Gracilaria sp.jpg | 70px]] | Ogo (Gracilaria coronopifolia) | Limu manauea |
| [[File:Polysiphonia sp. - Stavanger, Norway 2021-08-03.jpg | 70px]] | Polysiphonia (Polysiphonia) | Limu hāwane |
| [[File:Asparagopsis taxiformis Réunion 2 cropped.JPG | 70px]] | Red sea plume (Asparagopsis taxiformis) | Limu kohu |
| [[File:Unidentified Valonia - Kew 3.jpg | 70px]] | Sailor’s eye (Valonia utricularis) | Limu lipu{{okina}}upu{{okina}}u |
| [[File:Sea lettuce in Brofjorden 1 - cropped.jpg | 70px]] | Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) | Limu palahalaha, Pakaiea |
| [[File:FMIB 53610 Rhodophycees ou Floridees (Algues rouges) Ceramiees, Spyridia filamentosa (Wulf) J Ag.jpeg | 70px]] | Spyridia spinella (Spyridia spinella) | Limu hulu pua{{okina}}a |
| [[File:Hypnea flexuosa A.C.Brown and N.Jarman (AM AK307804-2).jpg | 70px]] | Tattered sea moss (Hypnea) | Limu hina |
| [[File:Ahnfeltiopsis linearis 8649974.jpg | 70px]] | Tuffed seaweed (Ahnfeltiopsis concinna) | Limu {{okina}}aki{{okina}}aki |
| :: |
New Zealand
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Caulerpa geminata Harv. (AM AK304895).jpg | 70px]] | Bubble caulerpa (Caulerpa sedoides) | Rimurimu |
| [[File:Turkish towel (Gigartina) (3266060874).jpg | 70px]] | Carrageenan weed (Gigartina) | Rehia, Rimurehia |
| [[File:Clymene coleana.jpg | 70px]] | Clymene (Clymene) | Karengo, Kareko, Parengo, Reporepo |
| [[File:Zostera.jpg | 70px]] | Eelgrass (Zostera) | Karepō, Nana |
| [[File:Gracilaria sp.jpg | 70px]] | Gracilaria (Gracilaria) | |
| [[File:Sanc0063 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg | 70px]] | Kelp (Laminariales) | Pakake, Pakaka |
| [[File:Purple Laver (Porphyra umbilicalis) - Oslo, Norway 2020-08-12 (03).jpg | 70px]] | Laver (Porphyra) | Karengo, Kareko, Parengo, Reporepo |
| Lysithea (Lysithea) | Karengo, Kareko, Parengo, Reporepo | ||
| [[File:Neptune's Necklace (Hormosira banksii) (49918991983).jpg | 70px]] | Neptune’s necklace (Hormosira banksii) | Koiri |
| [[File:Sea lettuce in Brofjorden 1 - cropped.jpg | 70px]] | Sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) | Rimu kaikai |
| [[File:Caulerpa brownii.jpeg | 70px]] | Sea rimu (Caulerpa brownii) | Rimurimu |
| [[File:Durvillea antarctica.JPG | 70px]] | Southern bull kelp (Durvillaea) | Rimurapa, Rimuroa, Kōauau |
| [[File:Pyropia sp. - Kristiansand, Norway 2021-08-12.jpg | 70px]] | Southern laver (Pyropia) | Karengo, Kareko, Parengo, Reporepo |
| :: |
Niue
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Caulerpa cupressoides in Harvey 1858.JPG | 70px]] | Cactus tree alga (Caulerpa cupressoides) | Limu tahi |
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | Limu fua |
| :: |
Samoa
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Turbinaria ornata (Australia).jpg | 70px]] | Crowned sea bells (Turbinaria ornata) | Limu lautalatala |
| [[File:Gracilaria sp.jpg | 70px]] | Gracilaria (Gracilaria) | Limu aau |
| [[File:Halymenia floresii.jpg | 70px]] | Halymenia (Halymenia) | A {{okina}}au |
| [[File:Sargassum - 1.jpg | 70px]] | Sargassum (Sargassum) | Limu vavoa |
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | Fuafua |
| [[File:Padina boryana.JPG | 70px]] | Turkeytail seaweed (Padina boryana) | Limu lautaliga |
| :: |
Tonga
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Caulerpa cupressoides in Harvey 1858.JPG | 70px]] | Cactus tree alga (Caulerpa cupressoides) | Kaka |
| [[File:FMIB 38401 Castagnea zosterae.jpeg | 70px]] | Cladosiphon (Cladosiphon) | Tanga{{okina}}u |
| [[File:Caulerpa cf peltata.jpg | 70px]] | Flat-top sea grape (Caulerpa peltata) | Fuofua |
| [[File:Caulerpa sertularioides.jpg | 70px]] | Green feather algae (Caulerpa sertularioides) | Louniu, Louango, Tu{{okina}}aniu |
| [[File:Hypnea flexuosa A.C.Brown and N.Jarman (AM AK307804-2).jpg | 70px]] | Hypnea charoides (Hypnea charoides) | Limu vai |
| [[File:Caulerpa scalpelliformis 254298193.jpg | 70px]] | Scalpel green seaweed (Caulerpa scalpelliformis) | Palalafa |
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | Toke, Fuofua, Alako, Te{{okina}}emoa, Te{{okina}}epuaka |
| [[File:The green seaweed, Caulerpa serrulata, at Ponta do Ouro, Mozambique (6661104601).jpg | 70px]] | Serrated green seaweed (Caulerpa serrulata) | Kaka |
| :: |
Tuvalu
::data[format=table]
| Image | English name | Indigenous name | Description and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| [[File:Caulerpa racemosa.jpg | 70px]] | Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) | Limu pukupuku |
| :: |
Threats
Limu has become increasingly difficult to find because of over-picking, pollution, and urban development, especially construction in watersheds. Many important kinds of limu grow best in brackish water where fresh water empties into the sea. Another threat to limu is the spread of marine alien invasive species, such as members of the genus *Kappaphycus (*smothering seaweed), Gracilaria salicornia (gorilla ogo), Avrainvillea amadelpha (leather mudweed), Hypnea musciformis (hook weed) and Acanthophora spicifera (prickly seaweed).
References
References
- (2010). "*''limut'': moss, algae". Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology.
- (2022). "Limu: Seaweed, mosses and algae of polynesia". Benton Family Trust.
- "Nā Puke Wehewehe ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi".
- MacCaughey, Vaughan. (1916). "The Seaweeds of Hawaii". American Journal of Botany.
- Spalding, Heather. "Got limu? Uses for algae in Hawaii and beyond".
- Wianecki, Shannon. (2010-03-01). "The Lure of Limu".
- "New Algae Species Discovered in Hawaii's Deep Waters".
- Reed, Minnie. (1907). "Economic seaweeds of Hawaii and their food value.". Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office.
- "Edible Limu of Hawaii".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Turbinaria ornata - Spiny-leaf Seaweed".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Sargassum echinocarpum".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Hydroclathrus clathratus - Sponge Seaweed".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Sargassum obtusifolium".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Caulerpa racemosa - Sea-Grapes Seaweed".
- "Cook Islands Biodiversity: Padina australis - Fan-leaf Seaweed".
- D. R. N’Yeurt, Antoine. "Marine Algal Flora of French Polynesia II. Chlorophyceae (green algae)".
- Conte, Éric. "La consommation des algues en Polynésie française : premiers résultats d'une enquête".
- Lincoln, Noa Kekuewa. (2020-10-31). "Kō: An Ethnobotanical Guide to Hawaiian Sugarcane Cultivars". University of Hawaii Press.
- (2013-11-11). "Limu Palahalaha".
- Ostraff, Melinda. "Contemporary Uses of Limu (marine algae) in the Vava'u Island Group, Kingdom of Tonga: an Ethnobotanical Study".
- Hiraishi, Ku`uwehi. (12 April 2018). "Cultivating a Future for Hawaiian Seaweed".
- (2013-12-09). "Invasive Algae".
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