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Five-ribbed Kelp
Costaria costata
Authority:
(C. Agardh) D. A. Saunders
North Pacific Distribution:
Unalaska I., Alaska, to southern California.
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Former Scientific Names:
Fucus costatus, Agarum costatum, A. quinquecostatum, Laminaria costata, Costaria mertensii, C. turneri
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Description:
Thallus of this light to medium brown kelp has a branched holdfast (haptera), a somewhat flattened, finely grooved stipe, and an elliptical blade up to 2 m (6.5 ft) long and 35 cm (14 in) wide with 5 parallel ribs running its length. Three ribs project on one side of the blade and 2 ribs on the other. Between the ribs the blade is profusely wrinkled or puckered. Habitat: This annual kelp is found on rock in the low intertidal to upper subtidal from semi-protected to semi-exposed habitats.
Comments:
New family being created by Lane et al.
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