Comprehensive description ³

Postelsia palmaeformis, is the only described species in the genus. Like most brown algae, it has two phases in its lifecycle, each with a distinct form. The visible palm-tree-shaped sporophyte is composed of a holdfast, a single stipe, and a canopy of grooved “lanceolate” blades on which spores are produced. The spores attach to the rock (or other hard surface) then germinate and develop into the microscopic gametophyte phase.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) 100460587416170889624, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by 100460587416170889624, https://picasaweb.google.com/100460587416170889624/GarrapataSPAndPfeifferBeach2627Jul2014?authkey=Gv1sRgCNyX4b7QmcWjQw#6041341041458428514
2. (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY), http://www.flickr.com/photos/18024068@N00/6274154358
3. (c) Soulanille, Elaine, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/17763590

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

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