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Microcladia borealis (Coarse sea lace)
Copyright © 2007 Jan Holmes
Two species of this red seaweed genus can be found in our area, M. borealis and M. coulteri. M. borealis is found attached to rocks and sometimes other seaweeds in the low intertidal on beaches exposed to moderate to strong wave action. Most plants grow to about 10-20 cm (4-8in) but some twice that size have been found. Careful inspection of the branching pattern shows lateral branching occurring only along one side of a main axis. This same pattern applies throughout five or six orders of branching. The ultimate branch tips are curved to face each other like tiny crab claws.
This
page was created by Jan Holmes on 1/13/07.
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