Purple laver is a common seaweed that can be found on all areas of a rocky shore. It can tolerate drying out and being exposed to the air for long periods between tides. Purple laver is purple-brown in colour and forms very thin, membranous fronds that vary in shape.

Similar to most seaweeds on the rocky shore, purple laver attaches to rocks with a disc-shaped holdfast. The seaweed occurs in colonies or as individuals along the coast.

If you find purple laver in a rockpool, it is likely that you will find small animals such as grazing molluscs and small species of fish using the seaweed for food and shelter.

Purple laver is used to make laver bread which is a famous food in parts of Wales.