Kingdom
Plantae
Division
Chlorophyta
Class
Ulvophyceae
Order
Bryopsidales
Family
Halimedaceae
Genus
Halimeda
Species
Halimeda opuntia
Distinguishing features
The algae grown in thick clumps. The clumps have branches of either rounded three-lobed or ribbed leaf-like segments. The many branches in a typical clump are angled differently to each other rather than being in a single plane as in some other similar species.
It can grow over wide areas smothering the surface beneath and making it hard to identify separate plants. (Marine Species Identification Portal)
Size
- Up to 25 cm (Height)
Depth range
- Up to 55 m
Synonyms
Distribution and habitat preferences
They grow in protected parts of the reef, for example between hard corals.
