| Description: |
This is a brown seaweed that is closely related to Fucus. It forms a single bladders centrally in long, flattened strap-like fronds. The fronds hang downwards, draping sheltered intertidal rocks. Many fronds grow from the base and the plant generally regenerates new fronds from the base when one of the larger fronds are damaged. There is evidence that clumps can be over 400 years old and may be even older. Ascophyllum is currently confined to the North Atlantic basin, but plants have been found growing in San Francisco Bay, but the species does not persist there. The plants are used as packing for shellfish from the North Atlantic and when discarded may take hold. |
Species:
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Ascophyllum nodosum (Linnaeus) Le Jolis |
