Egregia menziesii is amazing in that it has plasmodesmata, which are rarely found in algae. Plasmodesmata are small strands made of cytoplasm that connect adjacent cell walls by passing through them (1).

Egregia menziesii, as well as other kelps, have many uses for humans. It has a higher nitrogen and phosphate content than Macrocystis and is a great fertilizer (2). This is in part due to E. menziesii's 10-13%  Potassium content and its low iodine content at about .08% (2). In addition, this species was traditionally and currently used as a food source (3).

 Numerous discoveries have been made that identify compounds in marine algae that have medical and antibiotical uses (3).

Alginic acid as well as alginates are found in members of the Phaeophyta, such as Egregia, and have many uses which are commercially important. Alginates are used as a thickening agent in tooth paste, hair products, lotions, hair dyes, and ointments just to name a few. They are also used in detergents as a foam stabilizer and in shaving creams (3).