Description: Thallus is profusely branched, deep maroon to olive brown (tips bleach yellowish-brown), reaching 10 cm (4 in) tall. Radial branching begins about halfway up the main axis, and lower branches are longer than more distal branches; all branches are tapered at both ends. The thallus is attached to the substrate by a small discoidal holdfast. Habitat: This annual often grows in dense tufts and is found on rock in the mid to low intertidal of protected to semi-exposed habitats. Similar taxa: Neorhodomela oregona.