General Description

Erect with flat, thin blades (laterals) fan-shaped (flabellate) when young and becoming split and lobed when older. Growth is in concentric bands. Matted root-like (rhizoidal) holdfast. Medium to dark brown, iridescent underwater. Up to 6 cm long (thallus).

Biology

This seaweed glows with a strong blue iridescence underwater. It sometimes grows as an epiphyte on the seagrass Amphibolis antartica.

Habitat

Subtidal rocky reefs and on segrasses, sheltered to exposed coasts, to depth of 36 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Distribution guide

Worldwide.

Species Group

Seaweeds and seagrasses › Brown algae

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)
Deep ( > 30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

6 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