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Ochrophyta · Brown Seaweed

Sphacelaria rigidula

Kützing
Phylum
Ochrophyta
Class
Phaeophyceae
Order
Sphacelariales
Family
Sphacelariaceae

Sphacelaria rigidula

Brown sea moss

Authority
Kützing
Thallus is composed of fine, brown filaments, which grow in small tufts to about 1 cm (0.4 in) tall from basal rhizoids. Branching is irregular and only visible under a microscope. The elongate apical cell is the same width as the rest of the filament, which can become polysiphonous.

Habitat

This often overlooked perennial occurs on rock from the high to low intertidal of protected to semi-exposed habitats.

North Pacific Distribution

Alaska Peninsula, Alaska to southern California; Korea; Japan

Similar taxa

Ectocarpus, Elachista, Pylaiella

References

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos