Osmundea pinnatifida

Last updated

Osmundea pinnatifida
Osmundea-pinnatifida-19880601a.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
(unranked): Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Rhodomelaceae
Genus: Osmundea
Species:
O. pinnatifida
Binomial name
Osmundea pinnatifida
(Hudson) Stackhouse
Synonyms

Laurencia pinnatifida

Osmundea pinnatifida is a species of red alga known by the common name pepper dulse.

Contents

It is a small seaweed widely found with the tidal zone of moderately sheltered rocky shores around Europe. Although technically a red seaweed, it can show a wide range of colouring from yellow-buff to a red so dark as to be almost black.

Description

Osmundea pinnatifida is a small marine alga which grows in tufts with branches to a length of 8 cm from a discoid holdfast which produces of stolons for further support. The fronds are flattened with a medulla of thick cells covered by a cortex of 2 layers. The branches are alternate, flattened and branching in one plane from the sides one or two times. The axes show a small terminal groove at the apex. [1] [2]

Reproduction

The frond bears spermatangial receptacles which release the male gametes on final branchlets. Cystocarps, the cells which surround the gametophyte, grow on the ultimate branches. Tetraspores are formed on the last three orders of branches. [1]

Habitat

Common growing as tufts on rock in rock pools in the lower littoral but never below low tide. [1]

Distribution

Common around Ireland, Great Britain including Shetland and south to Portugal and the Mediterranean. [1]

Uses

In Ireland, like most seaweeds, it is harvested quite a lot. It is often used in gin-making in northwestern Ireland. It is harvested and dried in Scotland and in the Channel Islands for use as a curry-flavoured spice.

Related Research Articles

<i>Corallina officinalis</i> Species of alga

Corallina officinalis is a calcareous red seaweed which grows in the lower and mid-littoral zones on rocky shores.

<i>Dilsea carnosa</i> Species of alga

Dilsea carnosa, commonly known as the poor man's weather glass or the sea belt, is a species of red algae in the Dumontiaceae family of the order Gigartinales.

<i>Polysiphonia lanosa</i> Species of alga

Polysiphonia lanosa is a common species of the red algae (Rhodophyta) often to be found growing on Ascophyllum nodosum.

<i>Polysiphonia denudata</i> Species of alga

Polysiphonia denudata is a small red alga, Rhodophyta, growing as tufts up to 20 cm long without a main branch axis.

<i>Polysiphonia elongata</i> Species of alga

Polysiphonia elongata is a small red marine algae in the Rhodophyta.

<i>Polysiphonia fucoides</i> Species of alga

Polysiphoides fucoides (Hudson) Greville is a common marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.

<i>Melanothamnus harveyi</i> Species of alga

Melanothamnus harveyi, Harvey's siphon weed, is a small marine red alga in the division of Rhodophyta.

<i>Polysiphonia nigra</i> Species of alga

Polysiphonia nigra is a species of marine alga in the division Rhodophyta.

<i>Ceramium botryocarpum</i> Species of alga

Ceramium botryocarpum is a small red marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.

<i>Ceramium shuttleworthianum</i> Species of alga

Ceramium shuttleworthianum is a small marine red alga.

Brongniartella byssoides Schmitz is a small red marine alga.

<i>Halidrys siliquosa</i> Species of Phaeophyceae

Halidrys siliquosa is a large marine brown algae.

<i>Plocamium cartilagineum</i> Species of alga

Plocamium cartilagineum is a medium-sized red marine alga.

<i>Membranoptera alata</i> Species of alga

Membranoptera alata is a small red alga in the Rhodophyta.

<i>Phycodrys rubens</i> Species of alga

Phycodrys rubens is a red marine alga of up to 30 cm long.

<i>Phyllophora crispa</i> Species of alga

Phyllophora crispa is a medium-sized fleshy, marine red alga. This alga forms dense mats of up to 15 cm thickness, which influence environmental factors, thus creating habitat for several associated organisms.

Phyllophora pseudoceranoides, the stalked leaf bearer, is a small marine red alga.

Phyllophora sicula, the hand leaf bearer, is a small red marine alga.

<i>Osmundea hybrida</i> Species of alga

Osmundea hybrida is a fairly small marine red alga.

<i>Gymnogongrus griffithsiae</i> Species of seaweed

Gymnogongrus griffithsiae is a small uncommon seaweed.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Maggs, C.A. and Hommersand, M.H. 1993. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 1 Rhodophyta Part 3A Ceramiales The Natural History Museum, London ISBN   0-11-310045-0
  2. Bunker, F.StP.D., Brodie, J.A., Maggs, C.A., Bunker, A.R.2017. Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland Second edition. Wild Nature Press, Plymouth, UK ISBN   978-0-9955673-3-7