Abstract
This review concentrates on the systematic study of Australian algae by Europeans and their descendents. Although algae were certainly important for Aboriginal peoples, particularly for some coastal groups, little seems to have been recorded. In the Anindilyakwa language of Groot Eylandt, Northern Territory, the word amarda embraces all non-woody plants, including seaweeds. Waddy (1988) recorded indigenous names for 22 species of algae in 15 genera, although in general several species were known by the same term. The only species with a unique word was mamaburulkwa, for Cystoseira trinodis (Forssk.) C. Agardh.