DULSE (Ir. and Gael. duileasg)  , in botany, Rhodymenia palmata, one of the red seaweeds, consisting of flat solitary or tufted purplish-red fronds, fan-shaped in general outline and divided into numerous segments, which are often again and again divided in a forked manner . It varies very much in size and degree of branching, ranging from 5 or 6 to 12 or more inches long . It grows on rocks, shell-fish or larger seaweeds, and is used by the poor in Scotland and Ireland as a relish with their food . It is commonly dried and eaten raw, the flavour being brought out by long chewing . In the Mediterranean it is used cooked in ragouts and made dishes . See W . H . Harvey, Phycologica Britannica, vol. ii. plates 217, 218 .