Shaving Brush Alga

Description:

Photo take at -40 ft near a Caribbean reef this is a common site near the reefs This is a very common alga in the Caribbean sea ,the plants have a long stalk, up to 10 cm, and an oblong to spherical brush of filaments of 3 cm. The plants are substantial calcified. The filaments are slender, but because of the calcification rather tough. Slight magnification reveals their repeated dichotomous branching. The stalks appear spongy under magnification. They are slightly constricted at their base, where the bulbous mass of rhizoids arises. The color of the plants is light green.

Habitat:

Common in shallow, warm bays and lagoons, where it may form large colonies or be mixed with sea grasses. South Florida, Bahamas and Caribbean.