The thallus is 15-20 cm tall-each branch ends with a conic foot (sole); in most cases the basement branches are joined together in a common base. The stem is narrow enough, 3-5 mm thick, cylindrical, the final side is smooth and unequal. The main branches are alternatively or chaotically branched from the stem, very long, cylindrical shape, plenty of small branches whose number gradually decreases, leaving a few singular cylindrical small branches, much shorter than the initial ones; the small branches are uniformly distributed along the main branches or come together as brooms nearest their tops. In winter and spring there are many (air) bladders on branches. Cryptostoma are numerous on the surface of the branches and (air) bladders. The receptacles are spare-shaded or cylindrical 0.2-1 cm long, strongly stressed on the scaphidia surface and with phyliphorm sterile tops; gathered in dense instalments on the lateral surface of the branches: often in the receptacles the (air) bladders are metamorphozed and are distributed close the top branches .

Original publication: Agardh, C.A. (1820 '1821'). Species algarum rite cognitae, cum synonymis, differentiis specificis et descriptionibus succinctis. Volumen primum. Pars prima. pp. [i-iv], [1]-168. Lundae [Lund]: ex officina Berlingiana.

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Origin of species name: Adjective (Latin), bearded.

Provide pharmacological activity - anti-HIV and hypoglycemic activity

Source of hydrocolloids - source of alginate

Baghdadli, D., Tremblin, G. & Ducher, M. (1994). The effects of light quality on growth, photosynthesis and development in cultivated thalli of Cystoseira barbata C. Ag. f. aurantia (Kütz.) Giaccone (Phaeophyceae, Fucales). Botanica Marina 37: 43-50, 4 figs, 2 tables.

de Jong, L., Diana, C., Campos, J.R., Arnoux, A. & Pellegrini, L. (1994). Toxicity of methyl mercury and mercury (II) chloride to a brown alga Cystoseira barbata (Fucales) under laboratory culture conditions. Detoxifying role of calcium. Botanica Marina 37: 367-379, 15 figs, 8 tables.

Gueven, K.G., Aktin, E., Koyuncuoglu, H. & Bergisadi, N. (1974). Lipolytic and hypoglycemic compounds obtained from Cystoseira barbata. Drug Research 24: 144-147.

Pellegrini, L., Delivopoulos, S.G. & Pellegrini, M. (1990). Arsenic-induced ultrastructural changes in the vegetative cells of Cystoseira barbata forma repens Zinova et Kalugina (Fucophyceae, Fucales). Botanica Marina 33: 229-234, 7 figs.

Pellegrini, L., Pellegrini, M., Delivopoulos, S. & Berail, G. (1991). The effects of Cadmium on the fine structure of the brown alga Cystoseira barbata forma repens Zinova et Kalugina. British Phycological Journal 26: 1-8, 10 figs.

Salem, H.M., Abdelfettah, A.F. & Hussein, M.M. (1971). Structural investigation on the alginic acid of the Egyptian brown algal species Cystoseira barbata. Phytochemistry 10: 1095-1099.

Stadniciuc, M. (1973). Some remarks on the reproduction of the Cystoseira barbata (Good. et Wood.) J. Ag. alga in the Black Sea. Cercetari marine No 5-6: 213-221.

Zavodnik, D. (1965). Prispevek k poznavanju naselja Cystoseira barbata (Good et Woodw.) J. Ag. v severnem Jadranu. Biol. vestnik 13: 87-101.

Basiony: Abrotanifolia barbata Stackhouse