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Ochrophyta · Brown Seaweed

Lessoniopsis littoralis

(Farlow & Setchell ex Tilden) Reinke
Phylum
Ochrophyta
Class
Phaeophyceae
Order
Laminariales
Family
Alariaceae

Lessoniopsis littoralis

Flat pompom kelp

Authority
(Farlow & Setchell ex Tilden) Reinke
Thallus of this medium to dark brown kelp has a branched holdfast (haptera) and a trunk-like stipe that is profusely dichotomously branched, with each branch terminating in a strap-like blade with midrib. This kelp can reach 2 m (6.5 ft) long. Reproductive sporophylls are located near the base of older blades.

Habitat

This perennial kelp is found on rock in the very low intertidal to shallow subtidal in exposed habitats.

North Pacific Distribution

Kodiak Archipelago, Alaska to Monterey County, California

Former scientific names

Lessonia littoralis

Similar taxa

Laminaria repens also has clustered strap-like blades but a rhizomatous holdfast.

References

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos