A seaweed may belong to one of

several groups of multicellular

algae: the red algae, green algae,
and brown algae.

As these three groups are not thought to
have a common multicellular ancestor,
the seaweeds are a polyphyletic group.

Seaweeds are found throughout the
world's oceans and seas and none is
known to be poisonous. Many are
actually nice to eat and even
considered a great delicacy in many
Asian countries. Some recent,
healthy recipes can be found here.

Industrial utilisation of seaweed is mostly
centred on the extraction of phycocolloids
(marine hydrocolloids), and, to a much
lesser extent, certain fine biochemicals.
This site is a source of general information on
all aspects of seaweeds. Seaweeds are
marine algae: saltwater-dwelling, simple
organisms that fall into the somewhat
outmoded, but still useful, category of
"plants".