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Codium galeatum J.Agardh

Reference
Acta Univ.Lund. 42-43, pl. 1, fig. 1 (1887)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Native to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Scientific Description

Habit and structure. Thallus medium green, firm, erect, regularly and frequently dichotomously branched, to 1 m high, with branches uniformly terete, not tapering, 4–7 mm in diameter. Utricles stout, irregularly cylindrical to clavate, (130–)200–500(–700) µm in maximum diameter (below apex), (650–)750–1300(–1500) µm long; utricle apical wall rounded to truncate, moderately to (usually) markedly thickened forming a laminate galeate cap up to 125 µm thick; hairs (or scars) occasional, one to few per utricle. Medullary filaments usually 30–80 µm in diameter, with a prominent plug adjacent to origin from utricle.

Reproduction. Gametangia elongate-ovoid to cylindrical, 55–185 µm in diameter, 275–530 µm long.

Distribution. From Champion Bay, W. Aust., around southern Australia and Tas., to Ballina, N.S.W.

Habitat. C. galeatum is a common species on rough-water coasts along southern Australia, from low tide level down to 37 m.

[After Womersley, Mar. Benthic Fl. Southern Australia I: 235 (1984)]

John Huisman & Cheryl Parker, 3 August 2021

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Esperance Plains, Geraldton Sandplains, Hampton, Jarrah Forest, Swan Coastal Plain, Warren.
IBRA Subregions
Geraldton Hills, Hampton, Perth, Recherche, Southern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
IMCRA Regions
Central West Coast, Eucla, Leeuwin-Naturaliste, WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Augusta Margaret River, Busselton, Cambridge, Cockburn, Coorow, Cottesloe, Dandaragan, Dundas, Esperance, Fremantle, Irwin, Northampton, Rockingham, Wanneroo.