Cylindrical, gelatinous but firm, clear pink to purplish-red fronds, 10 mm wide, 250 mm long, dichotomously branched from small discoid base. Constiction at irregular intervals in mature plants. 

Original publication: Agardh, J.G. (1851). Species genera et ordines algarum, seu descriptiones succinctae specierum, generum et ordinum, quibus algarum regnum constituitur. Volumen secundum: algas florideas complectens. Part 2, fasc. 1. pp. 337 [bis]-351 [bis] 352-506. Lundae [Lund]: C.W.K. Gleerup.

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Key characteristics: Firmly gelatinous with cylindircal thallus and occasional constrictions.

Similar species: S. interrupta is smaller, darker in colour and mature plants are not constricted.

Key references: Braune, W. (2008). Meeresalgen. Ein Farbbildführer zu den verbreiteten benthischen Grün- Braun- und Rotalgen der Weltmeere. pp. [1]-596, 266 pls. Ruggell: A.R.G. Gantner Verlag.

Dixon, P.S. & Irvine, L.M. (1977). Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1. Rhodophyta. Part 1. Introduction, Nemaliales, Gigartinales. pp. xi + 252, 90 figs. London: British Museum (Natural History).

Huvé, P. (1970). Un groupement fortuit de Rhodophycées intéressantes dans une calanque marseillaise. Bulletin. Société Phycologique de France 15: 17-20.

Okamura, K. (1907). Icones of Japanese Algae. Vol. I pp. 1-22, pls I-V. Tokyo: published by the author.

Silva, P.C., Basson, P.W. & Moe, R.L. (1996). Catalogue of the benthic marine algae of the Indian Ocean. University of California Publications in Botany 79: 1-1259.

Wynne, M.J. (2005). A check-list of benthic marine algae of the tropical and subtropical western Atlantic: second revision. Beihefte zur Nova Hedwigia 129: 1-152.

Basionym: Ulva furcellata Turner

Type locality: Sheringham, Norfolk, England (Silva, Basson & Moe 1996: 114).