PORT PHILLIP BAY


Green Seaweed 

Caulerpa simpliciuscula

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Confused with Caulerpa vesiculifera which is lighter green in colour, has fewer larger vesicles attached to the main stem by and short rounded stems. Also confused with Caulerpa papillosa, although the vesicles differ in shape as they have a distinct constriction mid way down the vesicle.

Main information sources:
Womersley, H.B.S., (1984-2003). The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia. Part 1-3d. Govt. Printer, South Australia.
Baldock, R.N. 2010. Algae Revealed. South Australian State Herbarium. Website.
AlgaeBase. Website.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chlorophyta
Class:
Ulvophyceae
Order:
Bryopsidales
Family:
Caulerpaceae
Genus:
Caulerpa
Species:
simpliciuscula

General Description

Slender to medium upright alga. Simple, branched or forked stems (axes) covered in densely aggregated droplet-shaped vesicles (ramuli) arising directly from the main stem. Alga attached to surface by runner (stolon). Medium to dark green. Up to 30 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This species attaches to rock. It grows in bays that have moderate water movement.

Habitat

Tidal pools and subtidal reef on rough water coasts, embayments, to depth of 38 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Green algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

30 cm

Diet

Photosynthetic - sunlight

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

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

Author

article author Pocklington, Jacqui

Jacqui Pocklington is a Research Associate with expertise in algal taxonomy.

citation

Cite this page as:
Pocklington, Jacqui, 2011, Green Seaweed, Caulerpa simpliciuscula, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11287

Text: creative commons cc by licence