Osmundea pinnatifida | |
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Scientific classification | |
(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.
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.
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]
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]
Common growing as tufts on rock in rock pools in the lower littoral but never below low tide. [1]
Common around Ireland, Great Britain including Shetland and south to Portugal and the Mediterranean. [1]
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.
Corallina officinalis is a calcareous red seaweed which grows in the lower and mid-littoral zones on rocky shores.
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.
Polysiphonia lanosa is a common species of the red algae (Rhodophyta) often to be found growing on Ascophyllum nodosum.
Polysiphonia denudata is a small red alga, Rhodophyta, growing as tufts up to 20 cm long without a main branch axis.
Polysiphonia elongata is a small red marine algae in the Rhodophyta.
Polysiphoides fucoides (Hudson) Greville is a common marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.
Melanothamnus harveyi, Harvey's siphon weed, is a small marine red alga in the division of Rhodophyta.
Polysiphonia nigra is a species of marine alga in the division Rhodophyta.
Ceramium botryocarpum is a small red marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.
Ceramium shuttleworthianum is a small marine red alga.
Brongniartella byssoides Schmitz is a small red marine alga.
Halidrys siliquosa is a large marine brown algae.
Plocamium cartilagineum is a medium-sized red marine alga.
Membranoptera alata is a small red alga in the Rhodophyta.
Phycodrys rubens is a red marine alga of up to 30 cm long.
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.
Osmundea hybrida is a fairly small marine red alga.
Gymnogongrus griffithsiae is a small uncommon seaweed.