Polysiphonia stricta
# Polysiphonia stricta

Polysiphonia stricta is a small red marine alga in the Division Rhodophyta.

Polysiphonia stricta forms dense clumps of branching axes. The plants grow to 25 cm high.

## Description

P. stricta grows as small tufts of much branched tufts, growing to no more than 25 cm high. The axes are erect, ecorticate, with 4 periaxial cells growing from prostrate axes. All 4 of the periaxial cells are of the same length.

## Reproduction

Spermatangial branchlets are formed in clusters at the apices. Cystocarps are on wide stalks and are urceolate. The tetraspores are in series in the final branches.

## Habitat

Epizoic and epiphytic in the low littoral to 20 m.

## Distribution

Found around the British Isles, the West Atlantic and American Atlantic.

