A guide to the marine algae of Cape Cod and adjacent islands. The list of species is based on the historical (ca. 1873-1978) specimen collection of the MBLWHOI Library Herbarium (SPWH) in ...more ↓
Depth range based on 2 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 5
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 5 ...more ↓
Ulva intestinalis is a green alga in the phylum Chlorophyta, of the genus Ulva (sea lettuce), also known by the common names gutweed and grass kelp. Until they were reclassified by genetic work completed in the early 2000s, the tubular members of the genus Ulva were in the genus Enteromorpha.
Ulva compressa is a species of seaweed in Ulvaceae family that can be found in North America, Mediterranean Sea, and throughout Africa and Australia.
Ulva linza is a large, ribbon-like species of green seaweed that may reach up to 30 cm in length. The thalli are unbranched and often have a frilled margin. The thalli taper into a distinct stipe below and are highly compressed. The width of the thallus is greater in the middle than at the base and may reach 5 cm in width. Ulva linza is bright light to dark green in ...more ↓
Ulva prolifera is a species of seaweed in Ulvaceae family that can be found worldwide.
Depth range based on 10 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1 sample.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 6.4
Temperature range (°C): 11.855 - 11.855
Nitrate (umol/L): 6.151 - 6.151
Salinity (PPS): 35.184 - 35.184
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.128 - 6.128
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.418 - 0.418
Silicate (umol/l): 3.285 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 4 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 21.94
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 21.94 ...more ↓
Fucus spiralis is a species of seaweed, a brown alga (Heterokontophyta, Phaeophyceae), living on the littoral shore of the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. It has the common names of spiral wrack and flat wrack.
Fucus vesiculosus, known by the common name bladder wrack or bladderwrack, is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, also known by the common names black tang, rockweed, bladder fucus, sea oak, black tany, cut weed, dyers fucus, red fucus, ...more ↓
Depth range based on 32 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 11 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 5 - 76.8
Temperature range (°C): 23.278 - 26.525
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.732 - 2.380
Salinity (PPS): 35.095 - 35.493
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.230 - 4.703
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.121 - 0.308
Silicate (umol/l): 0.869 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 108 specimens in 5 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 15 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 37
Temperature range (°C): 11.845 - 27.421
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.086 - 5.063
Salinity (PPS): 34.929 - 37.169
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.657 - 6.138
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.077 - 0.336
Silicate (umol/l): 1.514 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 2 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 6.8
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 6.8 ...more ↓
Gracilaria tikvahiae is a highly opportunistic species common in estuaries and bays, especially where nutrient loading leads to either seasonal or year-round eutrophication (Peckol and Rivers 1995a, 1995b). Its morphology is highly variable, with colors ranging from dark green to shades of red and brown; with outer branches that can be either somewhat flattened or cylindrical in shape ...more ↓
Depth range based on 30 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 4.34 - 27.43
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 4.34 - 27.43 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 145 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 155.46
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 155.46 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 5 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 3
Temperature range (°C): 3.246 - 3.246
Nitrate (umol/L): 3.246 - 3.246
Salinity (PPS): 34.607 - 34.607
Oxygen (ml/l): 7.489 - 7.489
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.380 - 0.380
Silicate (umol/l): 3.088 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 107 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 12 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 23
Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 26.692
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.923 - 5.063
Salinity (PPS): 35.037 - 35.211
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.685 - 6.200
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.122 - 0.421
Silicate (umol/l): 0.983 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 6 specimens in 2 taxa.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 8
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 8 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 20 specimens in 5 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 82
Temperature range (°C): 22.204 - 24.821
Nitrate (umol/L): 1.216 - 2.331
Salinity (PPS): 36.438 - 36.667
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.848 - 4.849
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.191 - 0.283
Silicate (umol/l): 2.381 - ...more ↓
Laminaria digitata is a large brown alga in the family Laminariaceae, also known by the common name Oarweed. It is found in the sublittoral zone of the northern Atlantic Ocean.
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Ectocarpales
Family: Chordariaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=nf66c7c604cbba2ac
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Rhodymeniales
Family: Lomentariaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=Fc6dfb93996328908
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Gigartinales
Family: Phyllophoraceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=V222388bd0e8bac1f
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Delesseriaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=W1efaf59404ede358
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Ectocarpales
Family: Chordariaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=Dcf85602766d501ad
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Nemaliales
Family: Liagoraceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=Kb2dc3314e22d5e1a
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Palmariales
Family: Palmariaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=b79a88483d8527c6f
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Ectocarpales
Family: Scytosiphonaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=r8c344d4a7a074bef
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Delesseriaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=h1e6eda5abecfa4ec
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Laminariales
Family: Laminariaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=r6d5d2aa06ae289b8
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Gigartinales
Family: Phyllophoraceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=o4968e87ac3348ae6
Class: Phaeophyceae
Order: Ectocarpales
Family: Acinetosporaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=g438e458b58f70f5c
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Wrangeliaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=kf191840c0cb0eaf7
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Gigartinales
Family: Polyidaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=cf2d476c9600d1322
Phylum: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Rhodomelaceae
Source URL: http://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=fa242aae70fdf6ac1
Depth range based on 51 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 21.94
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 21.94 ...more ↓
A small reddish-brown filamentous alga most commonly associated with the fucoid alga Ascophyllum nodosum. The filaments are made up of a ring of 12 -24 elongated cells or siphons surrounding a central siphon. The plant is found wherever the host is common. Polysiphonia lanosa has occasionally been recorded as an epiphyte on Fucus serratus and Fucus vesiculosus ...more ↓
Depth range based on 141 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 1 sample.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 27.43
Temperature range (°C): 11.845 - 11.845
Nitrate (umol/L): 5.063 - 5.063
Salinity (PPS): 35.203 - 35.203
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.138 - 6.138
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.336 - 0.336
Silicate (umol/l): 2.448 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 110 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 27.43
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 27.43 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 2 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 46.3 - 106
Temperature range (°C): 22.765 - 23.542
Nitrate (umol/L): 1.734 - 1.918
Salinity (PPS): 36.583 - 36.727
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.795 - 4.843
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.218 - 0.228
Silicate (umol/l): 1.785 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 34 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 2 - 24.69
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 2 - 24.69 ...more ↓
Ahnfeltia plicata, the landlady's wig, is a species of red alga in the family Ahnfeltiaceae. It grows in northern parts of the Atlantic Ocean.
Short cylindrical stipe (exceptionally up to 75 cm) continuing as a distinct midrib throughout the length of the narrow, ribbon-like, slightly wavy blade. Attached to substrate by claw-like holdfast termed haptera. The blade is yellowish, olive-green or rich brown in colour, supple to the touch and very flexible. Blade length varies seasonally but is usually between 30 cm - 1.5 m ...more ↓
Depth range based on 45 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 46.6067
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 46.6067 ...more ↓
A common large brown seaweed, dominant on sheltered rocky shores. The species has long strap like fronds with large egg-shaped air bladders at regular intervals. The fronds of Ascophyllum nodosum are typically between 0.5 and 2m in length. The species often bears tufts of the small reddish-brown filamentous epiphytic algae Polysiphonia lanosa. Ascophyllum nodosum occurs ...more ↓
Blidingia minima is a species of seaweed in the Ulvaceae family. It was described by Johann Kylin in 1947.
Gametangial phase much branched, to 20 cms in length. Branches spirally in pairs of unequal length. Some branches form reflexed hooks by which it attaches itself to other algae.
The tetrasporangial phase Trailliella is monosiphonous, irregularly branched and although only a few cms long is readily identified by the small colourless cell at the upper end, and set to the side, ...more ↓
Thicketweed is a delicate-looking seaweed, just like its family member hen pen. However, the fronds look more like tufts than feathers. It consists of a single cell with many cell nuclei, without partitions. In the Netherlands, thicketweed is only found in the delta region, particularly in the Grevelingen, and in brackish water canals. It grows well near freshwater nutrient-rich inlets.
Bryopsis plumosa is a large, feathery species of green seaweed. The thalli are erect, feather-like and may reach up to 15 cm in height. It is easily recognised by its delicate branches. All branches are regularly arranged in two rows on opposite sides of the central filament. The lengths of the branches decrease gradually from the base of the plant. It is usually dark to mid-green in ...more ↓
Depth range based on 14 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 7.31
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 7.31 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 36 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 24.69
Temperature range (°C): 11.845 - 12.348
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 5.063
Salinity (PPS): 35.203 - 35.363
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.138 - 6.151
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.336 - 0.351
Silicate (umol/l): 2.448 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 1 specimen in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 0
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this note. Your feedback is most welcome.
Depth range based on 1 specimen in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0.75 - 0.75
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this note. Your feedback is most welcome.
Chaetomorpha melagonium is a species of green algae of the family Cladophoraceae.
Depth range based on 7 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 4 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 15
Temperature range (°C): 11.721 - 17.140
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.211 - 7.121
Salinity (PPS): 35.333 - 37.926
Oxygen (ml/l): 5.513 - 6.151
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.131 - 0.439
Silicate (umol/l): 1.247 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 40 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 4 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 18.29
Temperature range (°C): 11.855 - 12.348
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 6.151
Salinity (PPS): 35.184 - 35.363
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.128 - 6.174
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.351 - 0.418
Silicate (umol/l): 2.578 - ...more ↓
Chondrus crispus is a small purplish-red seaweed (up to 22 cm long) found on rocky shores and in pools. The fronds grow dichotomously from a narrow, unbranched stipe and are flat and wide with rounded tips. This seaweed is highly variable in appearance depending on the level of wave exposure of the shore and has a tendency to turn green in strong sunlight. Underwater, the tips of the ...more ↓
Chorda filum is a brown seaweed with long cord-like fronds, only 5 mm thick in diameter. The fronds are hollow, slippery, unbranched and grow up to 8 m long. The species attaches to the substratum using a small discoid holdfast. It is an annual species, disappearing in winter.Other common names include mermaid's tresses and cat gut.
Depth range based on 6 specimens in 2 taxa.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 14.63
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 14.63 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 16 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 5 - 5
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this note. Your feedback is most welcome.
Fairly stiffly branched fronds growing from a discoid holdfast, covered with small branchlets arranged in whorls. Maximum length usually about 15 cms.
Depth range based on 24 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 1 - 26.97
Temperature range (°C): 3.247 - 11.244
Nitrate (umol/L): 3.445 - 4.909
Salinity (PPS): 34.649 - 35.218
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.204 - 7.478
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.398 - 0.452
Silicate (umol/l): 2.311 - ...more ↓
Codium fragile fragile is a dark green seaweed composed of erect, dichotomously branched fronds. These may be up to 1 m in length. The branches are round in cross section but may be flattened beneath dichotomies of branches. The branches are soft with a velvety texture. The fronds usually arise from a spongy disc-shaped holdfast. The subspecies of Codium fragile found in ...more ↓
Corallina officinalis is a calcareous red seaweed which grows in the lower and mid-littoral zones on rocky shores.
Depth range based on 182 specimens in 2 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 5 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 32
Temperature range (°C): 11.471 - 12.348
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 5.063
Salinity (PPS): 35.203 - 35.363
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.138 - 6.200
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.336 - 0.421
Silicate (umol/l): 2.315 - ...more ↓
Depth range based on 38 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 24.69
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 24.69 ...more ↓
Depth range based on 240 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 12 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 32.3
Temperature range (°C): 11.646 - 12.348
Nitrate (umol/L): 4.729 - 6.816
Salinity (PPS): 35.008 - 35.363
Oxygen (ml/l): 6.095 - 6.346
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.335 - 0.425
Silicate (umol/l): 2.448 - ...more ↓
Desmarestia viridis is a species of brown algae found worldwide. Its common names include stringy acid kelp, green acid kelp, sea sorrel and Desmarest's green weed. The light brown thallus is delicate with a disc-shaped holdfast. It releases sulfuric acid when damaged, destroying itself and nearby seaweeds in the process. They are found in shallow ...more ↓
You don't expect seaweeds to flourish in the winter, but Dumontia contorta does. That is, it germinates in the autumn on stones and develops long thin fronds in late winter and early spring. It slowly perishes by the end of May. The only evidence you find of this seaweed in the summer is its base (the holdfast), attached to rocks. It is relatively common in tidal pools in the Wadden Sea and ...more ↓
Depth range based on 9 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 14.63
Graphical representation
Depth range (m): 0 - 14.63 ...more ↓
Ectocarpus siliculosus is a filamentous brown alga (Heterokontophyta). Its genome was the first brown macroalgal genome to be sequenced, with the expectation that E. siliculosus will serve as a genetic and genomic model for brown macroalgae.
Depth range based on 25 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 2 samples.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 0 - 28.8
Temperature range (°C): 26.525 - 26.626
Nitrate (umol/L): 0.565 - 0.732
Salinity (PPS): 35.083 - 35.095
Oxygen (ml/l): 4.572 - 4.657
Phosphate (umol/l): 0.120 - 0.121
Silicate (umol/l): 0.869 - ...more ↓