Ulva clathrata can be found from the intertidal through the subtidal zones of coastlines, often found on reef crests. It is widely distributed in warm seas from the Western Pacific through the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and Southeast Pacific. (https://seaweedindustry.com/seaweed/type/ulva-clathrata searched on 24 November 2013)

These algae have mature thallus a flattened distromatic blade in which the two cell layers are developmentally independent but closely adherent. Blades can be broadly expanded, irregularly lobed, cuneate, linear, lanceolate, oblanceolate, or deeply divided into linear lacinae. Usually attached to substrate by rhizoidal cells in a basal holdfast and/or rhizoidal extensions of cells in the lower portion of the blade or occasionally extending along part or the entire longitudinal axis of the blade. (http://www.algaebase.org/search/genus searched on 24 November 2013)