General Description

Thick flattened alga radiating from attachment point made up of a short stem (stipe) and fibrous roots (rhizoids). Main part of alga (thallus) is of a simple or split lobed form. Dark red on top with furry white projections (forming rhizoids) on under-surface. Up to 20 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This rounded, flat seaweed can be locally abundant in caverns and deeper waters.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs, attached to overhangs and caverns, rough wave action, to depth of 25 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Distribution guide

New Zealand and Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Red algae

Depth

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