Fucus vesiculosus has an olive green color and is characterized by the small nearly spherical gas–filled vesicles which look like bubble wrap and occur on both sides of an obvious central midrib running along the center of the strap-like frond. It attaches to rocky substrates by a small disc-shaped holdfast and it is common on sheltered rocky substrata of the middle intertidal rocky shore. In more sheltered areas there are many air bladders, whereas in more exposed conditions there are fewer.

Adapted by data base MACOI, macoi.ci.uc.pt, visited on 19-11-2013 and Leonel Pereira, 2009. Guia Ilustrado das Macroalgas - conhecer e reconhecer algumas espécies da flora portuguesa, 1ª Edição, Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra.