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Genus (i.e. Fucus)
Species (i.e. Gardneri)
Common Name (i.e. Rock Weed)
Phylum (i.e. Ochrophyta)
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Sea Lettuce
Ulva lactuca
Authority:
Linnaeus
North Pacific Distribution:
Arctic coast of Alaska to California; China; Korea; Japan; Russia.
Phylum:
Chlorophyta
Class:
Cladophorophyceae
Order:
Ulvales-test
Family:
Ulvaceae
Former Scientific Names:
U. fenestrata
Description: Thallus a green blade consisting of two cell layers, commonly with numerous small holes or perforations scattered throughout, reaching 60 cm (24 in) or more tall, although frequently much smaller. Cells are 10-20 μm diameter, and the blade can be 70 μm thick (significantly thicker than Monostroma. Habitat: The species occurs in the mid to low intertidal on cobble, boulders, and bedrock. It prefers protected and semi-protected habitats. Similar taxa: Monostroma, Ulvaria.

Comments:
The distinction of this species from Ulva fenestrata, which occurs in Pacific Russia and possibly parts of Alaska, remains to be determined.

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