Description: Thallus is light to dark brown with numerous radially arranged flattened lateral branches, which are somewhat curled at the ends and hollow. This species has a distinctive, perennial, crustose base up to 5 cm (2 in) in diameter and erect axes up to 35 cm (14 in) tall that die back in the fall. Habitat: This species occurs in the mid to low intertidal on rock and prefers semi-protected to exposed habitats. The epiphyte Saundersella simplex is frequently attached to the central axis and can nearly obscure its host.