Polysiphonia simulans

Polysiphonia simulans is a small marine alga in the division Rhodophyta.

Polysiphonia simulans
Illustration of Polysiphonia simulans. Fig. 1. natural size. 2. A small branch. 3. Ceramidium. 4. Ramulus with imbedded tetraspores. 5. Joints from the stem, and young ramulus with apical fibres. 6. Transverse section of the stem : — all magnified.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Ceramiales
Family:	Rhodomelaceae
Genus:	Polysiphonia
Species:	P. simulans
Binomial name
Polysiphonia simulans Harvey

Description

This small alga is no more than 8 cm long. It appears as a tuft of irregularly branched erect axes. The branches show 10 periaxial cells forming a collar around a central axis without cortication. The pericentral cells are all of the same length. Rhizoids are attached to the lower periaxial cells.^[1]

Reproduction

Tetraspores have been recorded in the final branches.

Distribution

Recorded from the south coast of England, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Also recorded from north-west France.^[1][2] Occurs southwards to Morocco.^[3]