Nereocystis

noun

Ne·​reo·​cys·​tis

ˌnirēōˈsistə̇s

: a monotypic genus of probably annual brown algae (family Laminariaceae) of the northern Pacific that have a stripe which sometimes exceeds 100 feet in length, is hollow in its upper part, and terminates in a large spherical float supporting dependent long thin dichotomously branched laminae and that have been used as a source of potash see sea-otter's-cabbage

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from nereo- (from Greek Nēreus Nereus) + -cystis

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