Plants robust, richly pinnately branched (like a feather), flattened and sometimes shows a midrib. Colour rich crimson to dull beetroot red.

Found in low tide zone on exposed coasts.

It produces its own food through the process of photosynthesis.

Major source of agar in NZ. Beach drift plants are collected from northern beaches after strong on shore winds.

Seaweeds of NZ: Adams.