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Black Seaweed
Porphyra abbottiae
Authority:
V. Krishnamurthy
North Pacific Distribution:
Sanak I., Alaska, to northern California.
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Former Scientific Names:
misidentified as Porphyra perforata
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Description:
Thallus is a green blade, to ~ 50 cm (20 in) long, one cell layer thick and often deeply ruffled along the margin, especially in lower half. The margin becomes bright red when female cells are fertilized; male cells are in diamond-shaped streaks extending from near margin toward center of blade. Habitat: This species is found on lower mid intertidal rock in spring and early summer, often on barnacles, on exposed or partially exposed shores. Similar taxa: Porphyra fallax has paler female reproductive patches; Porphyra norrisii is thicker, less ruffled.
Comments:
The western distribution limit of this species (west of Kodiak Island) needs to be verified.
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