Seaweed (Franchise)

Seaweed is an organism that appears in the How to Train Your Dragon Franchise. Seaweed may refer to a diverse array of species, some of which are classified as plants, but not all. For the purposes of this Wiki, seaweed will be categorized under "Plant".

Description
Commonly, seaweed refers to multicellular marine organisms that roughly resemble terrestrial plants in the water (but aren't related). Seaweed is also typically multicellular macroscopic (visible to the naked eye) Algae. Seaweed can be further classed as Red algae, Green algae, or Brown algae. Like plants, seaweed photosynthesizes and therefore cannot be too deep in the sea. Because of this, they are often found close to the coastline. Most species anchor themselves to rocks or other substrate, but a few species may be free-floating in the water. Some species are adapted to the higher salinity and periodic dry conditions of Tidal pools, as discussed by Ruffnut and Tuffnut in the School of Dragons Quest "Gross Cool Things".

Function
Many seaweed species are very edible and contain many nutrients. Seaweed is used as food in both real-life and in the Franchise. Further, many algae products are used in food production, such as carrageenan and agar.

Seaweed graces a few Franchise specific dishes, including the popular Yaknog, a sandwich Astrid prepares for Hiccup, and Yak noodle soup. In each case the seaweed is Kelp (species in the Order Laminariales), a type of Brown algae.

Dragons, or at least Monstrous Nightmares, do not like seaweed.

"When Snotlout tried to feed Hookfang seaweed, it didn't go very well. Hookfang lit up into flames! Snotlout had to jump into the tide pool to cool off."

- Tuffnut in School of Dragons

However, as Flightmares do eat algae, they may enjoy seaweed as well, though this is not specifically spelled out in the Franchise.

School of Dragons
Seaweed appear extensively in several player Quests. Two quests ask the player to collect Kelp at the beach near the School.

Seaweed also appears in the background of some of the underwater portions of the Expansion "Secret of the Leviathan".

Seaweed appears in the Thornado exclusive Flight Club lessons. The player rides Thornado in and out of the waters in a reef area. These lessons are available for a one-time payment of 250 gems or are unlocked with membership.

Seaweed also appears in a concept art image released to players in August 2017 of an upcoming expansion. The released expansion, "Rise of Stormheart", contains an underwater component with seaweed, Coral, and Fish.