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 in repeatedly branched clusters,
November to February. 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: While
Rhodochorton purpureum forms turfs in the upper
indtertidal or layers on the surface of mud in calm water
Rhodothamniella floridula
forms more extensive turfs binding sand. Microscopic examination
for the absence of pyrenoids is required to be certain
of the identity of Rhodochorton purpureum.
Key characteristics: Turf-forming habit and association
with upper intertidal or caves, or
Laminaria hyperboreastipes, but not binding sand. Absence of monosporangia.

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