Phyllophora pseudoceranoides
# Phyllophora pseudoceranoides

Phyllophora pseudoceranoides, the stalked leaf bearer, is a small marine red alga.

## Description

This red alga grows to a length of 10 cm (3.9 in). The frond is generally flattened and fan shaped, growing from a discoid holdfast forming a terete stipe with flattened branches dividing dichotomously as a blade with rounded apices. The medulla, the inner parts of the frond, is composed of large thick walled cells, closely packed become smaller towards the cortex.

## Reproduction

The plants are usually dioecious, male and female parts on separate plants. The spermatangia pits in the cortex, the cystocarps are pedicellate, urn-shaped growing to 3 mm long. The tetrasporangia occur form patches in rows on the sides of the blade.

## Habitat

In rock pools and in the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 m.

## Distribution

Commonly to be found around the Great Britain, Ireland, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Iceland, Norway to Portugal and the Mediterranean.

