Water silk

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Spyrigira turfosa F. Gray © Biologie-resources

Spyrigira turfosa F. Gray © Protist-information service

Identification

Fibre type
Average fibre lenght
Average fibre width
Fibre ends
Striations, cross-markings, flexion creases
Associated cells
Special features
Herzberg staining
Graff 'C' staining

Botanical classification

Spirogyra turfosa F. Gray

Order:

Zygnematales

Family:

Zygnemataceae

Plant growing area

It is commonly found in freshwaters reported from all continents.

Use area in the manufacture of paper

China, Korea, Thailand.

Plant cultivation and use

There are more than 400 species of Spirogyra in the world. Spirogyra Turfosa is a genus of filamentous green algae that lives in freshwater, in shallow ponds, ditches and at the edges of large lakes. It grows under water until spring and then with increasing of heat and sun, it develops as a floating viscous filaments mass of few centimeters.

China:

Algae were used during the Seonjin period (265-316) and then under the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279).

In the "Yunju Mishu" or "Rare Books in Yunju", text written during the Song Dynasty and giving information on raw materials used in the manufacture of paper and provinces where they are used, it is stated that moss is used in the maritime areas of China. Is this moss, bog moss or algae ?

Korea:

Spyrogyra turfosa is the commonest macroscopic freshwater algae in Korea. Algae have been used in Korea as decorative element in paper, generally mixed with the bark of paper mulberry.

These papers were produced during the Joseon period (1392-1910) for paper correspondence or poetry.

Thailand:

This is a modern use for decorative papers.

Algaes come from the sea and are washed, cooked and beaten.

Vernacular names

Chinese

Ni tang luo dai gu zao	泥炭螺带鼓藻

Korean

Muliki	물이끼

English

Blanket weed
Water silk

English

Mermaid's tresses

Paper names

In Asia and particularly in China, Korea and Japan, the papers are intended for a wide range of use: Papers for calligraphy and art, Papers for ceremonies, Paper as a medium of exchange, money paper, Papers for making clothes, wall hangings and bedding, Papers for architecture, interior design, Papers for crafts of various kinds, for domestic purposes and leisure.
The names assigned to the paper refers to different notions: The material used, The place of production, The method of production, Appearance, Dimensions, Use, The name of an artist or a studio etc.

China:

Suffixes zhi or chih = paper.

In China, unlike Korea and Japan, papers made with paper mulberry fibers are not prominent, the production of paper from bamboo fiber being the most important.

Korea:

Suffix ji = paper.

In Korea papers made with paper mulberry bark are the most numerous.

Papers

China

Zeliji

Korea

Baekteaji
Taeji		Teajangji

Used part of the plant:

Stem

Use for paper making:

Fiber

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Water silk

Spirogyra turfosa F. Gray

Papers