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Sea Fungus
Ralfsia fungiformis
Authority:
(Gunnerus) Setchell & N.L.Gardner
North Pacific Distribution:
Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, Alaska to northern California; Korea; Japan; Russia
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Former Scientific Names:
Fucus fungiformis, Ralfsia deusta
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Description:
The thallus of is species resembles a fungus, with broadly overlapping lobes that are olive brown to yellowish at the edges and free of the substrate. Thalli form nearly circular patches 1 mm thick and 2-6 cm (0.8-2.4 in) in diameter. This slow growing perennial has concentric growth lines visible on the lobes. Habitat: This species is found on rock in the mid to low intertidal, including tidepools, and prefers protected to semi-exposed habitats. Similar taxa: Ralfsia spp.
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