PORT PHILLIP BAY


Green Seaweed 

Caulerpa papillosa

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. It can also be confused with Caulerpa simpliciuscula, although the vesicles in that species don't have the 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:
papillosa

General Description

Slender upright alga. Multibranched or forked stems (axes) covered in densely aggregated tiny vesicles (ramuli) that are pinched (constricted) half way along, appearing pear-shaped at their tip and attached by a short nearly cylindrical stem (pedicel) to stalk. Alga attached to surface by naked runner (stolon). Medium to dark green. Up to 16 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This species attaches to rocks on reefs.

Habitat

Shaded tidal pools and shallow subtidal reef on rough water coasts, to depth of 12 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Australia.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Green algae

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

16 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 papillosa, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/11282

Text: creative commons cc by licence