Enter Search Terms:
Genus (i.e. Fucus)
Species (i.e. Gardneri)
Common Name (i.e. Rock Weed)
Phylum (i.e. Ochrophyta)
All of the above
Bull Kelp laver
Pyropia nereocystis
Authority:
(C.L.Anderson) S.C.Lindstrom
North Pacific Distribution:
Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska to San Luis Obispo County, California
Phylum:
Rhodophyta
Class:
Bangiophyceae
Order:
Bangiales
Family:
Bangiaceae
Former Scientific Names:
Pyropia californica, Porphyra nereocystis
Description: Thallus is a reddish (pinkish) brown to purple strap-shaped blade, one cell layer thick, that often reaches 100 cm (39 in) or more in length and 30 cm (12 in) broad. Spermatangia and zygotosporangia occur in wide marginal or submarginal bands or streaks. Habitat: This species grows on the stipe of the bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, rarely on other hosts; it is always submerged. Similar taxa: Wildemania amplissima occasionally also grows epiphytically on Nereocystis.
Click on a thumbnail to view larger version