Brown algae - Definition and Overview

Brown algae
Pacific Rockweed (Fucus distichus) in Olympic National Park
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Protista Division: Heterokontophyta Class: Phaeophyceae
Orders
Dictyotales Desmerestiales Fucales Laminariales (kelps) etc.

The brown algae are a large group of multicellular algae, including various sorts of seaweed. Their distinctive greenish-brown color comes from the pigment fucoxanthin. Well-known members include kelps and bladder wrack. Genetic studies show their closest relatives are the yellow-green algae.