General Description

Central stalk (stipe) compressed and wavy, openly branched on one plane, zigzag can be seen at base of plant or where branches are broken off. Secondary branches are cylindrical, long and straight or winged with alternate branching. Branchlets (laterals) have radial branching with straight to wavy form. Vesicles are oval-round arising in the place of the first two ramuli on each branch on short stems (petioles). Holdfast at base is a simple and disc-conical shaped. Medium to dark brown. Up to 2 m long (thallus).

Biology

Further study into the taxonomy of this species and similar ones in Western Australia may reveal that this species has a wider distribution than currently known.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs and tidal pools, to depth of 12 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

New Zealand and south-eastern 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

2 m

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