General Description

Slender, erect fronds. Fronds have a light centre appearing as a midrib (costate) mid and lower on frond. Branchlets (ramuli) curve inwards, and are strongly serrate with short peg-like blunt teeth on the outer edge (margin). Base lies flat on surface (prostrate). Reproductive stichidia clusters branched. Pink to medium-red. Up to 30 cm long (thallus).

Biology

When reproductive, a distinctive feature of this alga is a specialised branch (stichidia), which bears clusters of reproductive structures on short stems.

Habitat

Subtidal reef in moderate to rough waters, to depth of 20 m.

Reefs

Distribution guide

Phillipines, 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

30 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