General Description

Simple cylindrical (terete) stalk (stipe) arising from simple disc-conical holdfast. Lower laterals (perennial laterals) are linear and can divide in forks. Long primary branches densely covered with short secondary branches arranged radially with leaf-like laterals, and reproductive "branchlets" (receptacles) form in clusters in the axis of the laterals with forking at the tips. Vesicles are round-oval in shape and are attached by a short stem (petiole) to the axis of the laterals. Dark brown. Up to 50 cm long (thallus).

Biology

Sargassum linearifolium is the most widespread of the Sargassum genus in Australia. Sargassum species have deciduous fronds and plants often remain dormant with just the perennial base for most of the year. They are the largest growing group of all algae and are used as tea in Chinese medicine.

Habitat

Shallow subtidal rocky reefs and tidal pools in rough waters, to depth of 5 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Mauritius, India and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

50 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