Halimeda lacunalis forma lata (W.R.Taylor) Hillis-Col.

Scientific Description

Habit and structure. Thallus erect, to 8 cm tall, grass-green, drying pale green to white, arising from a small holdfast. Branching dichotomous to trichotomous. Basal segment small, cylindrical; other segments subcuneate, reniform or discoidal; median segments to 13 mm wide and 8 mm long; distal segments typically smaller, their margins entire. Peripheral utricles polygonal in surface view, 35–50 µm wide, trumpet-shaped and 85–100 µm long in lateral view, remaining firmly attached following decalcification, lacking fusions; secondary utricles elongate.

Distribution. Known from the tropical South Pacific Ocean (including Qld) and northern W.A.

Habitat. Epilithic on intertidal rocks.

[After Huisman & Verbruggen, Algae of Australia: Mar. Benthic Algae of North-western Australia, 1. Green and Brown Algae 132 (2015)]