General Description

Distinctive sausage like blades. Long, zig-zag central stalk (stipe) with alternate branches(laterals) strongly zig-zagged with thick, forked and densely clustered blades (ramuli) arising at points of zig-zag. Holdfast at base is a simple disc. Tan to medium brown. Up to 60 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This species is often found in the low intertidal area, in tidal pools and occasionally in or under a Hormosira banksii canopy.

Habitat

Low intertidal and shallow subtidal rocky reefs with moderate wave action, to depth of 10 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

New Zealand and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

60 cm

Diet

Photosynthetic - sunlight

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Recorded in Australia

Identify

• Seaweeds and seagrasses

Conservation Status

• DSE Advisory List : Not listed
• EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
• IUCN Red List : Not listed