Rhodochorton purpureum (Lightfoot) Rosenvinge

Also known as Audouinella purpurea (Lightfoot) Woelkerling
Description: Plants forming matted purplish-red tufts or a thin turf of sparingly branched, erect filaments, 5-10 mm long. Cells 3-4 times as long as broad. Cells with a single reticulate plastid without pyrenoids, later fragmented. Reproducing by tetrasporangia, mostly in winter. Monosporangia absent.

Habitat: On rock or epiphytic (especially on Laminaria hyperborea stipes), upper infralittoral to subtidal, often in caves and shady crevices, and growing under Fucus spiralis on sheltered shores. Widely distributed, common.
Similar species: Rhodothamniella floridula, which forms more extensive turfs, and which binds sand. Microscopic examination (for the presence or absence of pyrenoids) is required to be certain of the identity of this species.
Key characteristics: Turf-forming habit and association with upper intertidal, shaded habitats or Laminaria hyperborea stipes, but not binding sand. Absence of monosporangia.

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