Lithophyllum incrustans

Lithophyllum incrustans, also known by its common names coraline crust and paint weed,^[1][2] is a small pinkish species of seaweed.^[3]

Lithophyllum incrustans
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Corallinales
Family:	Corallinaceae
Genus:	Lithophyllum
Species:	L. incrustans
Binomial name
Lithophyllum incrustans Philippi, 1837
Synonyms
Crodelia incrustans (Philippi) Heydrich, 1911 Hyperantherella incrustans (Philippi) Heydrich, 1901 Lithophyllum incrustans f. angulata Foslie Lithothamnion incrustans (Philippi) Foslie, 1895 Lithothamnion incrustans f. depressum (P.L.Crouan & H.M.Crouan) Foslie, 1895 (synonym) Lithothamnion polymorphum f. confluens (Kützing) Vinassa, 1892 (synonym) Spongites confluens Kützing, 1841

Description

This is a small encrusting,^[4] calcareous alga, growing epiphytically as a flat lobed plant up to 10 cm in diameter and up to several mm forming thick adherent crusts. It can become knobbly with overlapping lobes and a smooth surface. In colour it is pinkish but may become bleached.^[5]

Reproduction

Tetrasporangial and bisporangial conceptacles occur sunken pits.^[6] Plants usually gametangial, Spermatangial conceptacles in shallow chambers. Carposporangial chambers flask-shaped.^[5]

Distribution

Found all around the Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, rarer on the east coast of England. In Europe recorded from Faroes, Norway to the Mediterranean.^[5]

Ecology

Common in shallow pools and under cover.^[5] Grows abundantly in the mid-littoral to 8 metres depth.^[6]