s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

Ptilota gunneri
Plants usually dark red or purple in colour, generally
very delicate and fine, almost feather-like but quite rigid
and growing up to 30cm long. Branching generally
irregular but with distinct alternate arrangement of long
and short apical branches, branching also tends to be in
one plane. Often growing in amongst turfs in crevices,
overhangs and vertical rock in the mid and lower littoral
and often found on kelp stipes. Not to be confused with
Plumaria plumosa which is morphologically similar but
without the regular long-short branching arrangement.
Rhodomela confervoides
This species may be quite variable in form depending on
habitat and season and size may range from 20-60cm long.
Plant is fine and filiform but often quite cartilaginous with
irregular branching extending from a more distinct main
axis, often appearing quite tatty. Branching may be short,
tufted and spine-like and often densely branched. It is
reddish brown in colour and is found in shallow rockpools in
the mid to lower littoral attaching by a discoid holdfast. May
be found in sandy habitats due to its tolerance. Not to be
confused with Cystoclonium purpureum which although
morphologically similar has a claw-like basal attachment or
with Rhodomela lycopodiodes.
Ptilota with regular
and stiff branching
pattern
Dense, short
branching on
Rhodomela and
showing discoid
attachment