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Ochrophyta · Brown Seaweed

Costaria costata

(C.Agardh) D.A.Saunders
Phylum
Ochrophyta
Class
Phaeophyceae
Order
Laminariales
Family
Agaraceae

Costaria costata

Five-ribbed kelp

Authority
(C.Agardh) D.A.Saunders
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.

North Pacific Distribution

Unalaska Island, Alaska to southern California

Former scientific names

Laminaria costata, Agarum costatum, Agarum quinquecostatum, Fucus costatus, Costaria mertensii, Costaria turneri, Costaria quadrinerva

References

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos