General Description

Flat firm and tough textured alga. Several stems (axes) develop from holdfast with regular branches developing from the base of older stems, branching mostly in two equal parts (sub-dichotomous) at regular intervals on one plane (two-dimensional). Holdfast at base starts as a simple disc developing closely adjacent roots (haptera). Tan to dark brown. Up to 20 cm long (thallus).

Biology

One of the few southern Australian fucoid algae that extend to the intertidal, the fringing areas of the shore and rock pools. It is occasionally observed under dense canopies of the alga Hormosira banksii, and can have the same epiphyte growth as H. banksii, Notheia anomala.

Habitat

Tidal pools and shallow subtidal rocky reefs with moderate-rough wave action, to depth of 6 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

20 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