Irish moss, also called is the name of several kinds of seaweeds that grow along rocky shores and that are collected for commercial use. Irish moss is a marine alga, not a true moss. The most common Irish moss is dark red or purple-red and has forked, fan-shaped branches. Most Irish moss is harvested in Ireland and France and on the eastern coasts of the United States and Canada. Irish moss is used in a wide variety of products, including chocolate milk, ice cream, toothpaste, cough syrup, and shoe polish. See also Algae ; Seaweed .
