Rhodochorton purpureum (Lightfoot) Rosenvinge
Also known as Audouinella purpurea (Lightfoot) Woelkerling
Description: Plants forming matted purplish-red tufts or a thin turf of sparingly branched, erect filaments, 5-10 mm long. Cells 3-4 times as long as broad. Cells with a single reticulate plastid without pyrenoids, later fragmented. Reproducing by tetrasporangia in repeatedly branched clusters, November to February. Monosporangia absent.
Habitat: On rock or epiphytic (especially on Laminaria hyperborea stipes), upper infralittoralto subtidal, often in caves and shady crevices, and growing under Fucus spiralis on sheltered shores. Widely distributed, common.
Similar species: While Rhodochorton purpureum forms turfs in the upper indtertidal or layers on the surface of mud in calm water Rhodothamniella floridula forms more extensive turfs binding sand. Microscopic examination for the absence of pyrenoids is required to be certain of the identity of Rhodochorton purpureum.
Key characteristics: Turf-forming habit and association with upper intertidal or caves, or Laminaria hyperborea stipes, but not binding sand. Absence of monosporangia.
ADVERTISING
Wild Irish Seaweed. Certified Organic Seaweeds hand harvested sustainably by the Talty Family off the coast of Co. Clare on the west coast of Ireland.
Connemara Organic Seaweed Company provide hand harvested, sustainable, kelp and seaweed products for human consumption through health supplements and edible products.
This is Seaweed. The finest organic seaweeds lovingly hand-harvested from the nutrient-rich Atlantic Irish shores.
Emerald Isle Organic Irish Seaweed. A family business producing seaweed as supplements, cooking, gardening and bath products.
Irish Seaweeds Ltd. Suppliers of 100% natural hand-harvested seaweeds and edible sea vegetable products from Ireland.
Seaweed courses, cookery courses, and much more in Co. Waterford.