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Macrocystis integrifolia (Giant kelp)
Copyright © 2007 Jan Holmes
This brown seaweed attaches itself to rocks via a flattened holdfast that spreads over rock surfaces with small finger-like projections (small stubby haptera). The stipe splits numerous times to form a multi-branched individual with hundreds of tapered blades projecting out along the entire lengths of the split stipe. The multibranched individual is buoyed upward toward the surface by means of small floats, one attached to each blade at the stipe end. A "stringer" of stipe and blades can reach 55m (180 ft) in length. Blades on the mid and upper portions of this seaweed are vegetative. Spores come from special sporophyte blades on the lower portion of the plant near the holdfast.
Macrocystis and Nereocystis are the major canopy forming seaweeds in our area, and like Nereocystis, Macrocystis is one of the fastest growing photosynthetic organisms on the planet. Hundreds of invertebrate, fish, and seaweed species depend on these two canopy formers for shelter, food and protection, the same role canopy trees play in a tropical rain forest. Macrocystis grows in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal in moderate to exposed locations. This species is a perennial although in very high energy waters, it may live only one or two years.
This
page was created by Jan Holmes on 1/6/07.
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