General Description

Cylindrical perennial stalk (stipe), arising from disc-conical to divided holdfast. Lower leaf-like branches (perennial laterals) are irregularly divided. Single stem (stipe) with radial teeth at base appearing zigzagged facing backward (retroflex). Densley branched secondary laterals (upper laterals/ramuli) appear like basal laterals becoming fine and thread-like (filiform) towards top of plant. Clustered branchlets (receptacles) arise on upper laterals attached by a short stem (petiole)and are occasionally branched. Vesicles (when reproductive) are round-oval, attached by a short stem (petiole) and have either no protrusion or a slender-compressed protrusion (mucro). Dark to medium brown. Up to 1 m long (thallus).

Biology

This species has been renamed from Sargassum to Phyllotricha.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs and tidal pools, to depth of 16 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Egypt, Jordan, New Caledonia, 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

1 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