Porphyra maculosa

Description: Thalli of nearly circular blades reach ~15 cm (6 in) in diam., color a uniform brown (center occasionally grayish with reddish margin), one cell layer and appearing thin. Reproductive cells are occasionally evident as lightly pigmented diamond-shaped patches around blade margin. Habitat: This species is mostly in the mid intertidal although it can extend higher or lower, and can be epilithic, epiphytic (often on Fucus or Endocladia), or epizoic (on barnacles). Similar taxa: Porphyra perforata is thicker.