Giant Kelp
Macrocystis pyrifera
Habitat and range 3
Found on rocky substrate in subtidal areas from Alaska to Baja California. Also found in South America, South Africa, and South Australia (MAC). Typically found in large groups forming kelp forests which are ecologically important habitats in temperate waters for fish and invertebrates. Economically, kelp forests are important for fisheries.
Identification and morphology 4
Large thalli up to 45m long that displays fast apical growth. Multiple pneumatocysts, usually with one blade arising per pneumatocyst. Blades bullate (raised ridges) with dentate margins. Large hapterous holdfast. Sporophylls are located near branch base by the pneumatocyst. Can be confused with Macrocystis angustifolia contains a rhizome like holdfast seen in a cross section which easily differentiates the two species (MAC).
Sources and Credits
- (c) intertidalecologist, all rights reserved, uploaded by intertidalecologist
- (c) M. Goff, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), uploaded by M. Goff
- Adapted by intertidalecologist from a work by (c) kelpsquad, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- (c) intertidalecologist, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Common name | Algae, Brown Algae |
|---|---|
| Region | Alaska to British Columbia, Channel Islands North, Channel Islands South, Government Point to Mexico, San Francisco to Government Point, WA Olympic Coast to San Francisco |
