Large plants up to 1 m or more high, main stem is cylindrical, smooth or slightly flattened. basal leaves up to 10long with a midrib, margins are lobed or irregularly to sharply toothed. Secondary stems are long, slender and smooth with alternate side branches with smaller, narrower leaves with indistinct midribs. Holdfast is a conical solid disc. Colour is brwn to golden brown, texture is firm. It has round vesciles (bladders) with points or they may have leafy tips.

Found on rock at or below low water spring, especially in deep pools and channels in moderately exposed coasts.

Uses the sun's energy for photosynthesis.

Seaweeds of NZ; Adams