- Reference
- Man.Brit.Alg. 40 (1841)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Native to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Scientific Description
Habit and structure. Thallus medium to dark brown, usually 0.5–3 cm long, usually epiphytic on large brown algae with numerous closely associated basal filaments penetrating the host, together with descending rhizoids from the lower cells. Main filaments well developed, usually relatively bare below and in their upper part bearing fasciculate, lateral, branch systems with mainly adaxial branching, branchlets often curved and tapering into colourless false hairs. Lower filaments 25–40 µmin diameter, cells L/B (1–)1.5–2; branchlets 12–22 µmin diameter, cells L/B 1–2(–3); false hairs 8–10 µmin diameter. Growth diffuse. Cells with several elongate, usually branched, relatively broad phaeoplasts, each with several pyrenoids.
Reproduction. Pedicellate plurilocular sporangia usually arranged in series of 2–4 adaxially on the laterals or more scattered on upper main filaments, elongate-conical, 60–140 µmlong and (16–)20–40(–45) µmin diameter, often present also on short basal filaments. Unilocular sporangia not seen in Australian material.
Distribution. In southern Australia, from Wedge I., S. Aust., to Apollo Bay, Vic., and Eaglehawk Neck, Tas.
Habitat. Epiphytic on the larger brown algae.
[After Womersley, Mar. Benthic Fl. Southern Australia II: 34 (1987)]