- Reference
- Analecta Algol. 30-31, table 1 figs. 1-2 (1892)
- Conservation Code
- Not threatened
- Naturalised Status
- Native to Western Australia
- Name Status
- Current
Scientific Description
Habit and structure. Thallus 2–6 cm high, much branched with several erect subdichotomous axes bearing lateral branches from lower and central parts of the thallus, few from upper parts, each axial cell with 4 similar whorl-branchlets; main lateral branches arising apically and becoming subdi- (or tri-) chotomous, with the upper axial cells pit-connected above the whorl of 4 whorl-branchlets, with laterals also from basal cells of whorl-branchlets to form shorter lateral branches. Attachment by rhizoids from basal cells of axes; epiphytic on other taxa than Cystophora. Structure. Apical cells 4–6 µmin diameter and L/D 1–1.5, enlarging rapidly to thick walled axial cells 30–60 µm in diameter and L/D 1.4–2.2 in mid axes and 150–250 µm in diameter and L/D 0.6–1 in lower axes. Whorl-branchlets more or less complanately branched and slightly upwardly curved, usually closely adjacent, 50–110 µm long, branched from the basal cell with several successive subdichotomies and sometimes a terminal chain of 2–3 cells; basal cells of whorl-branchlets (10–)14–20(–25) µm in diameter and L/D 1.2–1.7(–2), tapering to terminal cells 5–9 µmin diameter and L/D 1–1.5(–2); gland cells prominent on the terminal and subterminal cells of whorl-branchlets, hemispherical to ovoid, touching only the bearing cell or abutting the next upper cell, 6–10 µm in diameter. Cells uninucleate; rhodoplasts discoid in small cells, becoming ribbon like in axial cells.
Reproduction. Gametophytes dioecious (or monoecious?). Carpogonial branches borne near the apices of short lateral branches, on the basal cells of short whorl-branchlets. Post-fertilization a terminal rounded gonimolobe 90–140 µm across develops, with ovoid carposporangia 15–20 µm across, often with 1–2 lateral gonimolobes; basal procarp cells usually fuse. The carposporophytes occur laterally along the axes, usually without involucral branchlets. Spermatangia cut off terminally from terminal cells of whorl-branchlets, sparse, ovoid, 2–3 µm in diameter. Tetrasporangia occur on mid cells of whorl-branchlets, lying above the whorl-branchlet, sessile, subspherical, 25–40 µm in diameter, tetrahedrally divided.
Distribution.Cockburn Sound, W. Aust., to Waratah Bay, Vic.
[After Womersley, Mar. Benthic Fl. Southern Australia IIIC: 201–203 (1998)]