Polysiphonia brodiei

Polysiphonia brodiei (Dillwyn) Sprengel, now generally spelled "brodiaei", as it is named after James Brodie^[1] is a species of red algae in the Rhodophyta. It grows in tufts up to 36 cm long.^[2]

Polysiphonia brodiei
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Ceramiales
Family:	Rhodomelaceae
Genus:	Polysiphonia
Species:	P. brodiei
Binomial name
Polysiphonia brodiei (Dillwyn) Sprengel
Synonyms
Polysiphonia brodiaei orth. var.

Description

Polysiphonia brodiaei is a dark brownish purple algae^[3] growing as tufts consisting of branched of axial cells surrounded by 6 - 8 periaxial cells all of the same length. These branches become corticated near the base. Trichoblasts form near the tip and branches develop from their axils. It grows to 36 cm long in dense tufts.^[2]

Reproduction

The plants are dioecious, Spermatangial branchlets are borne near the tips of the branches. Cystocarps with a wide ostiole develop and Tetrasporangia appear as a spiral in the branches.^[2]

Habitat

Common in the intertidal zone.^[1]

Distribution

This species is recorded from all around the British Isles, except in the east of England, including the Isle of Man and the Shetland Isles.^[1] In Europe the species is found From Norway to Portugal, in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic coast of Canada and also on the Pacific coast of North America and in Australia and New Zealand.^[2]