Gastroclonium reflexum is a small red marine seaweed.
| Gastroclonium ovatum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| (unranked): | Archaeplastida |
| Division: | Rhodophyta |
| Class: | Florideophyceae |
| Order: | Rhodymeniales |
| Family: | Champiaceae |
| Genus: | Gastroclonium |
| Species: | G. ovatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Gastroclonium ovatum (Hudson) Papenfuss | |
Description
Gastroclonium ovatum is a small alga which grows to 15 cm long. The branches are cylindrical, grow from a branched holdfast and branch irregularly. It shows short branches which are hollow with bladder-like or vesicle-like branches - rather elongate with a single joint. In colour it is dark purplish red.[1][2][3]
Habitat
Found in rock pools in the littoral or upper sublittoral, epilithic or epiphytic.[2]
Distribution
Recorded from the British Isles, Mauritania, Canary Islands[2] and the Channel Islands.[1]
Reproduction
The sexes are separate. The female cystocarps occur on the branches and the tetrasporangia in the cortex of the vesicles.[1]
Similar species
Gastroclonium reflexum distinguished by many branches being reflexed[2] and Chylocladia verticillata.[1]