General Description

Flattened leathery central stalk (stipe) with branches arising in an alternate pattern on one plane (appearing to blend together), secondary branches (laterals) also arranged in alternate pattern on one plane with narrowed sections at base appearing leaf-like (narrow at base oval-oblong at end) at branch ends. Often distinctly spotted (conceptacles) on surface. Holdfast at base is a simple and disc-cone shaped. Medium to dark brown. Up to 1 m long (thallus).

Biology

This alga often appears broken or damaged because of attacks from snails and other herbivores.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reef, to depths from 2 to 40 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

1 m

Diet

Photosynthetic - sunlight

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

• Seaweeds and seagrasses

Conservation Status

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