Phylum | Rhodophycota
| Red seaweeds e.g. carragheen, laver, coral weed & maerl
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Class |
Rhodophyceae |
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Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland |
Generally distributed throughout Britain and Ireland, but apparently absent from significant stretches of coast in eastern England.
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Habitat information | Epilithic and epiphytic, especially on Laminaria hyperborea stipes. Littoral and sublittoral to a depth of 20 m in both sheltered and moderately exposed areas.
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Description | A foliose red algae with a tough flat frond usually between 20 and 50 cm in length, but sometimes up to 1m. The algae grows directly from a small discoid holdfast gradually widening and subdividing. The stipe is inconspicuous, rarely to 5 mm long. Older parts may have small 'leaflets' along the margin especially where damaged. Dark red, with purple tints under water. |
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