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Genus (i.e. Fucus)
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Common Name (i.e. Rock Weed)
Phylum (i.e. Ochrophyta)
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False Laver
Porphyra fallax
Authority:
S.C. Lindstrom et K.M. Cole
North Pacific Distribution:
Aleutian Is., Alaska, to northern Washington.
Phylum:
Rhodophyta
Class:
Bangiophyceae
Order:
Bangiales
Family:
Bangiaceae
Former Scientific Names:
Porphyra abbottiae, P. perforata
Description: This may be the most common species of Porphyra in Alaska. Thallus is a reddish brown blade, to ~ 50 cm (20 in) long, elongate, with a greenish center, one cell layer thick, and often ruffled along the margin. The margin becomes pale red when female cells are fertilized; male cells are in whitish patches or streaks. Habitat: High to lower mid intertidal rock from winter to early summer, from protected to exposed shores, often associated with sand. Similar taxa:  Porphyra abbottiae has darker red female reproductive patches.
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