Ceramium virgatum explained

Ceramium virgatum, or the red hornweed, is a small red marine alga.

Description

This small alga grows erect with cylindrical filamentous axes.[1] It is repeatedly branched, corticate and grow to 30 cm long.[2] Very difficult to identify from some other species.[1]

Habitat

Common in rock pools[2] and in the upper sub-littoral in a wide range of habitats.[1]

Distribution

Widely distributed around the British Isles including the Isle of Man and the Shetland Islands.[1]

Nomenclature

The non-spiny species of Ceramium are in taxonomic chaos[3] and there is confusion concerning this species which is referred to as Ceramium nodulosum in some references.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Hardy, F.G. and Guiry, M.D. 2003. A Checklist and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. The British Phycological Society
  2. Bunker, F.StP.D., Maggs, C.A., Brodie, J.A., Bunker, A.R. 2017. Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second Edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth. UK
  3. Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H.1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales. The Natural History Museum, London