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Seaweed - Red, Sarcothalia decipiens

Sarcothalia decipiens

Algae

Rhodophyta

Florideophyceae

Gigartinaceae

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

Feeding:
Producer
Producer
Distribution:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Edibility:
Edible
Edible
Size:
Hand Sized
Hand Sized



A rubbery feeling plant. Usually appearing as small bushy clumps. This alga has flat blades which fork. It tends to be dull purple in colour but can bleach to olive green, especially on the outer blades, in sunlight.


Found on very exposed shorelines from mid tide to low tide.


A producer using the sun for energy


The fleshy attachments on the sides of the blades are reproductive structures.



Photo Credit: Rod Morris. Photos available from www.rodmorris.co.nz