Skip to main content

Story: Seaweed

Sea rimu

Image
Sea rimu

When referring to seaweeds, Māori use the word ‘rimu’. It is derived from ‘limu’, a term used throughout the Pacific. Sea rimu (Caulerpa brownii) is a small green seaweed found around New Zealand’s exposed coasts. The name rimu was also given by Māori to a tall native tree because its branches carrying fine scale leaves closely resemble the seaweed.

Using this item

Private collection

by Iona Wassilieff

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff, Seaweed – Types of seaweed, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/4589/sea-rimu (accessed 21 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 2 March 2009.