Ceramium botryocarpum explained

Ceramium botryocarpum is a small red marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.^[1]

Description

Ceramium botryocarpum is a small filamentous branched alga growing as tufts to a height of 12 cm. The axial branches consist of large barrel shaped cells,^[2] which branch irregularly dichotomously. The tips of the branches have strongly in inrolled apices. The axes are covered by small cells which form a complete cortex over the filaments. The axes appears banded due to the thinner covering of cortical cells at the internodes. Unlike certain other species of Ceramium it does not bear spines.^[1]

Habitat

To be found in rock pools in the lower littoral.^[3] Epiphytic on other small algae where there are larger brown are not present.^[1]

Distribution

Recorded from Ireland and Great Britain, but probably under-recorded.^[4] Also recorded from the Channel Isles and France.^[1]

Notes and References

1. Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H. 1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales.
2. Jones, W.E. 1962. A key to the genera of British Seaweeds. Field Studies Volume 1 No 4
3. Bunker, F.StP.D, Maggs, C.A., Brodie, J.A., Bunker, A.R. 2017 Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second Edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth. UK.
4. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003. A Check-list and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society.