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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 Cabbage
Saccharina sessilis
Authority:
(C. Agardh) Kuntze
North Pacific Distribution:
Aleutian Is., Alaska, to Monterey County, California; Commander Is., Russia.
Phylum:
Ochrophyta
Class:
Phaeophyceae
Order:
Laminariales
Family:
Laminariaceae
Former Scientific Names:
Hedophyllum sessile, Laminaria sessilis
Description: Thallus of this kelp is unique in that it lacks a stipe. It is medium to dark brown with a branched holdfast (haptera) and has a somewhat thick blade up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long. The blade can be bullate (appear puckered) and become torn with age. Habitat: This perennial kelp is found on rock in the mid to low intertidal from semi-protected to semi-exposed habitats. Specimens from more exposed habitats tend to be smooth with many splits. Similar taxa: Saccharina subsimplex.
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