The plants can be up to 20-20 cm or more high and are clustered around a common base. The fronds are tubular and usually constricted into a sausage chain or are flattened, narrow and unconstricted. The holdfast is crustlike. The colour is golden to dark brown and the texture is firm in older plants but soft and flaccid in immature ones.

Found on intertidal rocks on moderately exposed to sheltered coasts. Seasonal, mainly found winter to late spring.

Uses the sun's energy for photosynthesis.

Seaweeds of NZ; Adams