s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

Cystoclonium purpureum
This is a filiform plant often with a distinct main
axis which may be up to 2 mm wide. It is highly
and irregularly branched, growing up to 60 cm
long and can appear quite straggly. This species
is often distinguished from similar species such
as Rhodomela sp. by its distinct claw-like
branched holdfast. Cystocarps can appear as
swellings within the smaller branches. It is found
in the mid to lower littoral and sublittoral fringe,
generally located within rockpools and may be
browny red or purple in colour.
Delesseria sanguinea
Plant with distinct and uninterrupted midrib and
side veins. Very thin, foliose, membranous and
delicate, plant with limited branching generally
occurring at the base and arising from a main
thick stipe. Fronds long and broad growing up
to 40 com long with edges appearing ruffled
often resembling elongated beech leaves.
Pinky red in colour it is found in the lower
littoral and sublittoral fringe and within deep
lower littoral rockpools, may be found attached
to kelp stipes. Not to be confused with
Phycodrys rubens.
Delesseria with distinct
leaf like appearance due
to thick midrib and
veins
General appearance of
Cystoclonium with claw-like
holdfast, cellular structure and
presence of cystocarps
Branching of Delesseria
from main stipe near
base only