Hypoglossum hypoglossoides explained

Hypoglossum hypoglossoides, known as under tongue weed, is a small red marine alga in the family Delesseriaceae.

Description

Hypoglossum hypoglossoides is a small red alga growing as monostromatic blades in tufts to a length of 30 cm and 0.8 cm wide. The lateral branches grow as blades which, like the primary blade, has a midrib. All the blades have a lanceolate or acute apices. All the blades lack lateral veins.^{[1] [2]}

Reproduction

The plants are dioecious. Spermatangial sori are formed on the blades on either side of the midrib. Cystocarps develop singly on the blades.^[1]

Habitat

Found in the littoral and sublittoral on rock or epiphytically on other large algae.^[3]

Distribution

Found on the shores of Ireland, Great Britain, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Further south in Spain and the Mediterranean, as well as North Carolina to Brazil.^[1]

Notes and References

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