General Description

Resembles a bottle brush. Short round central stalk (stipe) with multiple primary branches with short tooth-like projects at base where branchlets (ramuli) have broken off (often continuing high on branch). Branchlets can be simple or multi-branched occurring in a whorled pattern along the primary branches. This species can have both round and oval (tapering at each end) floats (vesicles). Holdfast at base is a simple and disc shaped. Medium to dark brown. Up to 60 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This alga was recently reclassified into the same species as Caulocystis uvifera from the results of genetic research at the University of South Australia (Soisup).

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs and tidal pools, in shallow areas (low-tide level) to deep water with slight-moderate water movement, to depth of 5 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

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

Native to Australia

Identify

• Seaweeds and seagrasses

Conservation Status

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