Asparagopsis armata Harvey

Asparagopsis armata

Description: The gametangial plant grows to 30 cms long and is attached by barbed rhizoids to other algae. Thallus with tufts of branchlets all about the same length and spirally arranged. The tetrasporic phase (=Falkenbergia) is of small fine filaments irregularly branched which aggregrate into small fluffy balls.

Habitat: Both phases are generally epiphytic and sublittoral or free floating.

Distribution: Southern and western shores of the British Isles: Ireland, England, Scotland including the Shetlands and the Isle of Man. Europe: Mediterranean, Azores, Portugal and Spain. Further afield: Canary Islands, Marocco, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database

Morton, O. & Picton, B.E. (2016). Asparagopsis armata Harvey. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. https://www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZM2020 Accessed on 2025-06-22

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