Sea laurel • Osmundea spectabilis
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Specimen collection number PTM 457 in the UBC Herbarium Algae Database. Search the collection number in the database for more information on this specimen, or search the species for further occurrences. Images courtesy of Sandra Lindstrom.
Identification
This relatively small, branched red seaweed is quite firm and rough in texture, dark purple/red in colour, and can sometimes be iridescent. It typically grows to about 5-10 cm in length, but can grow as large as 30 cm. Each branch can have 2-3 orders of branching, with each terminal branchlet having a shallow notch at the tip. The holdfast is small and disc-shaped.
Habitat and Range
You will find this species growing on rocks in dense clumps in the moderate to exposed shores in the shallow intertidal to subtidal zones. Its range extends from southern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.
Intriguing Information
Compounds containing bromine, chlorine and iodine in the tissues of this species give it a strong odour, particularly when crushed. The presence of these compounds may function to provide protection from epiphytes and herbivores.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/339015-Osmundea-spectabilis
This relatively small, branched red seaweed is quite firm and rough in texture, dark purple/red in colour, and can sometimes be iridescent. It typically grows to about 5-10 cm in length, but can grow as large as 30 cm. Each branch can have 2-3 orders of branching, with each terminal branchlet having a shallow notch at the tip. The holdfast is small and disc-shaped.
Habitat and Range
You will find this species growing on rocks in dense clumps in the moderate to exposed shores in the shallow intertidal to subtidal zones. Its range extends from southern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico.
Intriguing Information
Compounds containing bromine, chlorine and iodine in the tissues of this species give it a strong odour, particularly when crushed. The presence of these compounds may function to provide protection from epiphytes and herbivores.
iNaturalist
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/339015-Osmundea-spectabilis
References
Druehl, L. 2000. Pacific Seaweeds: A guide to common seaweeds of the west coast. Harbour Publishing: Madeira Park, BC, Canada. Pp. 119-120
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Lindberg, M. and Lindstrom, S. (2010). Osmundea spectabilis. Seaweeds of Alaska. Accessed 2015-11-09
O'Clair, R. and Lindstrom, S. Osmundea spectabilis (Postels and Ruprecht) K.W. Nam. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 2015-11-09.
Authors and editors of page
Beatrice Proudfoot and Kelly Fretwell (2015)
Druehl, L. 2000. Pacific Seaweeds: A guide to common seaweeds of the west coast. Harbour Publishing: Madeira Park, BC, Canada. Pp. 119-120
Lamb, A., and Hanby, B. (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest [electronic version]. Madeira Park, BC: Harbour Publishing.
Lindberg, M. and Lindstrom, S. (2010). Osmundea spectabilis. Seaweeds of Alaska. Accessed 2015-11-09
O'Clair, R. and Lindstrom, S. Osmundea spectabilis (Postels and Ruprecht) K.W. Nam. In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Ed.). E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed 2015-11-09.
Authors and editors of page
Beatrice Proudfoot and Kelly Fretwell (2015)
