Helminthora divaricata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh
Description: Gametophytes, cylindrical, softly
gelatinous, pale pinkish or reddish-brown fronds, to 2 mm wide
and 300 mm long when mature. Much branched, ultimate branchlets
short, irregular, holdfast small, discoid. Tetrasporophytes
ramifying in the fronds of Polyides rotunda as an
irregularly branched endophyte.
Habitat: Gametophytes are summer annuals (May
or June to September or October), solely epiphytic on
Polyides rotundus (below) in lower tidal pools and in
the shallow subtidal, widely distributed on western and
south-western coasts, sporadic but often locally abundant,
particularly in large, sandy pools.
Similar species: Nemalion helminthoides
is broader, deeper red in colour, and does not have as many
branches; however, Nemalion does not occur in pools and
generally only grows on barnacles, mussels or limpets.
Key characteristics: Association with
Polyides rotunda; gelatinous consistency, and profuse,
almost pinnate branches.
Distribution: Sweden, W and SW Britain and
Ireland, apparently south to Atlantic Spain. Mediterranean
records require further study, particularly since the host does
not occur there.
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