Helminthora divaricata (C Agardh) J Agardh

Description: Gametangial plants are attached by discoid holdfast growing to 25 cms in height, well branched and mucilaginous at least when young. Tetrasporangial plants only known in culture.

Habitat: Epilithic on Polyides rotundus or on gravel, shells etc. Sublittoral to 30 m.

Distribution: Generally south-western in the British Isles, but recorded from Scotland including the Shetlands. Europe: Mediterranean, Atlantic coast of France and Denmark.

Similar Species: Nemalion helminthoides has relatively few branches and Helminthocladia calvadosii.

Key Identification Features:

• Branched and mucilaginous with distinctly limited inner axis.

Distribution Map from BioMar data for Ireland - Google Earth map:  download this placemark (not got Google Earth installed?)

Distribution Map from NBN: JNCC MNCR Seasearch data - Grid map : Interactive map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.