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s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

s A Field Guide to the British Seaweeds - NMBAQC

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Gelidium sp. Gracilaria gracilis<br />

Species quite variable in size and shape but plants<br />

are generally flesh and cartilaginous. G. pusillum<br />

tends <strong>to</strong> have narrow fronds which are cylindrical<br />

but may be compressed in parts, it is dark<br />

red/black and wiry with variable branching but<br />

often arranged in two opposite rows. G. latifolium<br />

and G. sesquipedale are slightly broader and more<br />

foliose with regularly flattened fronds and redder in<br />

colour. All species tend <strong>to</strong> creep over <strong>the</strong> rock<br />

surface, in crevices and overhangs forming mats,<br />

and are located in <strong>the</strong> mid <strong>to</strong> lower lit<strong>to</strong>ral. Not <strong>to</strong><br />

be confused with Catenella caespi<strong>to</strong>sa.<br />

G. latifolium<br />

showing broader<br />

compressed frond<br />

Gelidium pusillum in<br />

natural habitat and<br />

under magnification<br />

Plants filiform, cartilaginous and slightly<br />

elastic growing up <strong>to</strong> 60cm long and 1-3mm<br />

wide. Branching is generally irregular but<br />

secund at times and may be quite dense in<br />

some plants often giving a straggly<br />

appearance. It is usually dark brown in colour<br />

although may turn green on bleaching. This<br />

species is quite <strong>to</strong>lerant of sand and can be<br />

located in <strong>the</strong> lower lit<strong>to</strong>ral and sublit<strong>to</strong>ral<br />

fringe and within rockpools attached via a<br />

discoid holdfast.<br />

General form of Gracilaria

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