Mastocarpus rigidus

Narrow Turkish washcloth

Authority: S.C.Lindstrom, Hughey & Martone

Thallus is reddish-brown to almost black, tough, narrow, flattened to somewhat canaliculate, to 10 cm (4 in) tall, broadening distally into several dichotomous segments, which are usually covered with papillae. Like Turkish Washcloth, this species alternates with a diploid Tar Spot crust, which is usually nearby.

Habitat

Growing in clusters on rock in the mid intertidal of semi-exposed and exposed habitats.

North Pacific Distribution

Aleutian Islands, Alaska to northern California

Former scientific names

misidentified as Mastocarpus jardinii

Similar taxa

Mastocarpus pacificus is more flaccid and prefers less exposed habitats.

References

AlgaeBase (opens in a new tab)

Last updated December 26, 2010