Pyropia nereocystis

Bull Kelp laver

Authority: (C.L.Anderson) S.C.Lindstrom

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.

North Pacific Distribution

Umnak Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska to San Luis Obispo County, California

Former scientific names

Pyropia californica, Porphyra nereocystis

Similar taxa

Wildemania amplissima occasionally also grows epiphytically on Nereocystis.

References

AlgaeBase (opens in a new tab)

Last updated December 26, 2010