nori or laver an important group of seaweeds in the genus Porphyra, especially P. tenera (Japan), P. perforata (N. Pacific), and P. umbilicalis (Europe). Of all the edible plants which grow in the sea, these are the most valuable and the most widespread; but their importance is obscured by the fact that they pass under various English names in different places. Laver is the name in England and Wales. In Scotland and Ireland it is sloke. The Japanese name nori has been largely adopted in N. America.
