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Seaweed, Red (Melanthalia)

Melanthalia abscissa

Seaweed, Red (Melanthalia)

Algae

Rhodophyta

Florideophyceae

Gracilariaceae

Rocky Reef Subtidal
Rocky Reef Subtidal
Rocky Shore Intertidal
Rocky Shore Intertidal

Feeding:
Producer
Producer
Distribution:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Edibility:
Edible
Edible
Size:
Shoulder width Sized
Shoulder width Sized



Plants robust in dense tufts. Fronds regularly divided into narrow stems arranged fanwise. Lower stems cylindrical. Holdfast an expanded pad from which the stem arise. Colour brick red, drying to black. Texture is stiff and wiry.


It is found on rock at and below low water spring tide on exposed coasts.


It produces its own food through the process of photosynthesis.



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Seaweeds of NZ; Adams