Irish Moss

a seaweed found most abundantly on the rocky coast of Ireland near Waterford. The stem, called a frond, is thick and branching in the shape of a fan. In color it varies from purple to green. It is gathered, dried in the sun, and sold to the grocers. When placed in hot water it swells up and dissolves; on cooling it congeals and makes a nutritious, inexpensive substitute for jelly and starch in the preparation of various soups and table delicacies.