RHODOPHYTA : Gigartinales : PhyllophoraceaeRED ALGAE

Phyllophora sicula (Kützing) Guiry et L Irvine


Description: Several blades grow from a single crustose holdfast of up to 2 cms in diameter to produce erect fronds up to 7 cms long. Stipe about one third of the total length abruptly branches once or twice to produce a flat blade.

Habitat: Rare. Epilithic in lower rock pools and in the sublittoral to 15 m.

Distribution: A southwestern species in the British Isles. Recorded as far north as Anglesey, south west of England and the south coast of Ireland. Europe: Mediterranean, Portugal and Spain.

Similar Species: Rhodymenia pseudopalmata; Coccotylus truncatus. Schottera nicaeensis.

Distribution Map from NBN: Phyllophora sicula at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Phyllophora sicula at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Phyllophora sicula at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Morton, O., Keatley, L., Morrow, C.C. & Picton, B.E. (2026). Phyllophora sicula. (Kützing) Guiry et L Irvine. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZM5870. Accessed on 2026-11-01