Bot. [L. ulva sedge.] An alga forming the typical genus of the order Ulvaceæ; the laver or sea-lettuce.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Ulva, Reet, or Weed of the Sea, Sea-grass; also Weeds growing in Pools, or standing Waters.
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v., Bauhine makes the Ulva a purple sea-moss allied to the alga.
1850. Miss Pratt, Comm. Things of Sea-side, ii. 160. The Ulvæ, or Lavers, are flat green leaves, very transparent, and easily torn, and when laid on paper are scarcely thicker than gold-beater’s skin.
1857. J. G. Wood, Comm. Objects Sea-shore, 44. I found that the ulva had risen in the water, and was hanging in most elegant festoons from the surface.
1871. Kingsley, At Last, i. Here and there floated large fronds of a lettuce-like weed, seemingly an ulva.
