Cartilaginous, cylindrical, dark reddish brown fronds, to 300 mm long, with crimson ramuli, from discoid base. Branches alternate to pseudodichotomous, densely clothed in spring with gelatinous, ephemeral ramuli, tapered at base and apex. Small cental siphon with 4 large primary pericentral siphons, 4 alternating secondary pericentral siphons, and in older parts 8 tertiary pericentral siphons and a zone of corticating cells. Articulations barely visible in corticated parts, rather broader than long near base, to longer than broad in ramuli.

Original publication: Sprengel, K. (1827). Systema vegetabilium Editio decima sexta. Voluminis IV. Pars I. Classis 24. Vol. 4 pp. [i]-iv, [1]-592. Gottingae [Göttingen]: sumtibus Librariae Dieterichianae.
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Lichtlé, C. (1975). Étude ultrastructurale de la paroi du Polysiphonia elongata (Harv.) Rhodophycée, Floriodée, a l'aide d'actions ménagées d'enzymes. J. Micros. Biol. Cell. 23: 93-104.

Pedersén, M., Roomans, G.M. & Hofsten, A.V. (1980). Cell inclusions containing bromine in Rhodomela confervoides (Huds.) Lamour. and Polysiphonia elongata Harv. (Rhodophyta; Ceramiales). Phycologia 19: 153-158, 6 figs.

Type locality: England (Silva, Basson & Moe 1996: 540). 

Basionym: Conferva elongata Hudson.