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Ochrophyta · Brown Seaweed

Ralfsia fungiformis

(Gunnerus) Setchell & N.L.Gardner
Phylum
Ochrophyta
Class
Phaeophyceae
Order
Ralfsiales
Family
Ralfsiaceace

Ralfsia fungiformis

Sea fungus

Authority
(Gunnerus) Setchell & N.L.Gardner
The thallus of this 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.

North Pacific Distribution

Arctic Ocean, Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, Alaska to northern California; Korea; Japan; Russia

Former scientific names

Fucus fungiformis, Ralfsia deusta

Similar taxa

Ralfsia spp.

References

Last updated December 26, 2010

Photos