Rhodymenia ardissonei (Kuntze) Feldmann
Alternative names: Spiky Rose Weed
Description: Thinly fleshy, dark red,
flattened fronds, irregularly spreading and semi-peltate, fairly
regularly dichotomously branched, to 60 mm long and 5-7 mm
broad. One to several fronds arise from a central stipe borne on
creeping stoloniferous growths. Tips of fronds reattaching in
late summer and autumn and producing new plants in subsequent
years giving rise to relatively extensive stands.
Habitat: On silty bedrock or in current-exposed
habitats, often associated with foliose bryozoans (above and
below), found at (5-) 20-30 m and below (at 5-10 m in Lough Hyne
and at Portrush on vertical subtidal cliffs), probably widely
distributed, but frequently overlooked or misidentified. Most
obvious in deeper water in high-energy habitats, where it may
dominate. South-western, western and northern coasts of Ireland
and Britain. South to the Mediterranean.
Similar species:
Rhodymenia holmesii,
Rhodymenia pseudopalmata
and
Schottera nicaeensis.
Photographs: East of the Skerries, Portrush, Co. Antrim, Ireland; August 2013 © Francis Bunker (In the top photograph Rhodophyllis irvineorum on right middle just above two anemones).
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