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Wakame, which is used in Miso Soup, is a non-native Asian kelp that found its way to the California coast, now possibly threatening the state's marine ecosystem. Scientifically called Undaria pinnatifida, it was first found in Los Angeles around 2000 and began spreading northward and was thought to be stopped near Monterey. Then last May, it was found in San Francisco. The species is considered one of the 100 worst invasive species and scientists are worried it could block sunlight for native marine plants and kelp. "This is not well studied enough, and we're really quite nervous about it getting out in the ecosystem," a scientist told the AP. "It will attach to about anything."
