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s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

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Osmundea hybrida and Osmundea pinnatifida<br />

Both <strong>the</strong>se species are very cartilaginous and fleshy<br />

and dark red-brown in colour but can appear yellowish<br />

when bleached. Branching pattern varies according <strong>to</strong><br />

species. O. hybrida has branching from all round <strong>the</strong><br />

main axis which tends <strong>to</strong> be alternate or opposite. It is<br />

generally cylindrical but may be slightly compressed in<br />

parts and can grow up <strong>to</strong> 15cm long with a discoid<br />

basal attachment. In contrast O. pinnatifida tends <strong>to</strong><br />

be more compressed with branches in a single plane<br />

only with slightly wider fronds. Microscopic<br />

examination will reveal a groove in <strong>the</strong> frond tip and a<br />

s<strong>to</strong>loniforous holdfast. O. Hybrida has a terminal pit<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than a groove. Both species are located in <strong>the</strong><br />

mid through <strong>to</strong> sublit<strong>to</strong>ral region and tends <strong>to</strong> be found<br />

in amongst turfs in crevices or overhangs and on <strong>the</strong><br />

sides of rockpools, often found <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Cylindrical arrangement of branches and<br />

discoid holdfast on O. hybrida<br />

Compressed form of O. pinnatifida, with<br />

single plane branching, also showing its<br />

wide frond morphological form in its<br />

natural habitat

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