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Genus (i.e. Fucus)
Species (i.e. Gardneri)
Common Name (i.e. Rock Weed)
Phylum (i.e. Ochrophyta)
All of the above
Sea Fungus
Ralfsia fungiformis
Authority:
(Gunnerus) Setchell et N.L. Gardner
North Pacific Distribution:
Bering Sea and Aleutian Is., Alaska, to Humboldt County, California; Korea; Japan; Russia.
Phylum:
Ochrophyta
Class:
Phaeophyceae
Order:
Ralfsiales
Family:
Ralfsiaceace
Former Scientific Names:
Fucus fungiformis, Ralfsia deusta
Description: The thallus of is species resembles a fungus, with broadly overlapping lobes that are olive brown to yellowish at the edges and free of the substrate. Thalli form nearly circular patches 1 mm thick and 2-6 cm (0.8-2.4 in) in diameter. This slow growing perennial has concentric growth lines visible on the lobes. Habitat:  This species is found on rock in the mid to low intertidal, including tidepools, and prefers protected to semi-exposed habitats. Similar taxa: Ralfsia sp.
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