Bornetia secundiflora is dark red in colour, firm and rigid when fresh. The thallus is 5-20 cm high when erect, fan-shaped with blunt tips (apices), much branched and tufted, with branches often curved over. The plant has a jelly-like texture. Branches are sparse at the base becoming more dense towards the apices.

Bornetia secundiflora shows little variation other than in overall size. The species is one of the most easily recognisable member of the Ceramiaceae. The only confusion possible is with Griffithsia corallinoides, from which it differs by the rigid rather than flaccid texture and the cylindrical rather than bead-like apical cells.

Link for MarLIN

Possible confusion: with Griffithsia corallinoides or Haluyrus flosculosus

Loiseaux-de Goër, S. & Noailles, M.-C. (2008). Algues de Roscoff. pp. [1]-215, col. figs. Roscoff: Editions de la Station Biologique de Roscoff.

Maggs, C.A. & Hommersand, M.H. (1993). Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1. Rhodophyta. Part 3A. Ceramiales. pp. xv + 444, 129 figs, map. London: HMSO.

Type species: This is the type species (holotype) of the genus Bornetia.

Basionym: Griffithsia secundiflora J.Agardh

Syntype localities: Hab. in mari atlantico a Gadibus et Tingi saltim usque ad Bayonne, in mediterraneo ad littora Galloprovinciae et Italiae. (Agardh 1841: 40). Lectotype: LD 35341 (Maggs & Hommersand 1993: 156). Notes: LD 35341 was collected in Tangier, Morocco.