Description: Thallus is golden brown, globular, reaching 7 cm (3 in) or more in diameter with an irregular basal attachment. The thin, smooth, hollow thallus tears easily. The thallus also has colorless hairs in clusters on its surface. Habitat: This annual grows usually grows on other algae but is sometimes found directly on rock in the low intertidal in semi-exposed to semi-protected habitats. Similar taxa: Leathesia marina.