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Ochrophyta · Brown Seaweed

Leathesia marina

(Lyngbye) Decaisne
Phylum
Ochrophyta
Class
Phaeophyceae
Order
Ectocarpales
Family
Chordariaceae

Leathesia marina

Sea cauliflower

Authority
(Lyngbye) Decaisne
Thallus forms distinctive yellowish-brown, hollow, globular cushions that are deeply convoluted. The individual fleshy thalli are 1-6 cm (0.4-2.4 in) across but may become larger as they grow into each other and form a bubbly carpet.

Habitat

This annual species can be found on rock or as an epiphyte on other seaweeds in the high to low intertidal from protected to semi-exposed habitats.

North Pacific Distribution

Aleutian Islands, Alaska to Baja California, Mexico; China; Korea; Japan; Russia

Former scientific names

Chaetophora marina, Tremella difformis, Leathesia difformis, Leathesia nana

Similar taxa

young Soranthera ulvoidea, Dactylosiphon bullosus, Colpomenia peregrina

References

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos