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Species (i.e. Gardneri)
Common Name (i.e. Rock Weed)
Phylum (i.e. Ochrophyta)
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Sea Moss
Endocladia muricata
Authority:
(Endlicher) J. Agardh
North Pacific Distribution:
Aleutian Is., Alaska, to Baja California, Mexico.
Phylum:
Rhodophyta
Class:
Florideophyceae
Order:
Gigartinales
Family:
Endocladiaceae
Former Scientific Names:
Acanthocladia muricata, Gelidium muricatum, Gigartina muricata
Description: Thallus is rusty red to black (when dry); its wiry, cylindrical branches have spines and form small bushy tufts 3-8 cm tall (1-3 in). This perennial has isomorphic or similar-looking reproductive phases. Habitat: This species forms a band on rocks in the high to mid intertidal zone of semi-exposed to exposed habitats. Similar taxa: Gloiopeltis furcata; Caulacanthus ustulatus (not confirmed to occur in Alaska; E. muricata can develop creeping portions similar to C. ustulatus in late summer).
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