Ectocarpus fasciculatus Harv.
A Manual of the British Algae 40 (1841)
Conservation Code:
Not threatened
Naturalised Status: Native to Western Australia
Name Status:
Current
Scientific Description
John Huisman & Cheryl Parker,
Monday 20 June 2011
Habit and structure. Thallus medium to dark brown, usually 0.5–3 cm long, usually epiphytic on large brown algae with numerous closely associated basal filaments penetrating the host, together with descending rhizoids from the lower cells. Main filaments well developed, usually relatively bare below and in their upper part bearing fasciculate, lateral, branch systems with mainly adaxial branching, branchlets often curved and tapering into colourless false hairs. Lower filaments 25–40 µm in diameter, cells L/B (1–)1.5–2; branchlets 12–22 µm in diameter, cells L/B 1–2(–3); false hairs 8–10 µm in diameter. Growth diffuse. Cells with several elongate, usually branched, relatively broad phaeoplasts, each with several pyrenoids.
Reproduction. Pedicellate plurilocular sporangia usually arranged in series of 2–4 adaxially on the laterals or more scattered on upper main filaments, elongate-conical, 60–140 µm long and (16–)20–40(–45) µm in diameter, often present also on short basal filaments. Unilocular sporangia not seen in Australian material.
Distribution. In southern Australia, from Wedge I., S. Aust., to Apollo Bay, Vic., and Eaglehawk Neck, Tas.
Habitat. Epiphytic on the larger brown algae.
[After Womersley, Mar. Benthic Fl. Southern Australia II: 34 (1987)]
