Stringy acid kelp Desmarestia viridis |
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Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | SAR |
Superphylum: | Heterokonta |
Class: | Phaeophyceae |
Order: | Desmarestiales |
Family: | Desmarestiaceae |
Genus: | Desmarestia |
Species: | D. viridis |
Binomial name | |
Desmarestia viridis (O.F.Müller) J.V.Lamouroux |
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Synonyms | |
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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 intertidal areas.
This brown marine algae grows solitary to 2m long. It is densely branched. The branches are terete and grow from a bulbous holdfast. The main axis is distinct and grows is 1 mm wide, the final branches fine and hair-like.
D. viridis is generally epilithic in shaded places in the lower littoral.