RHODOPHYTA : Gigartinales : GigartinaceaeRED ALGAE

Chondracanthus acicularis (Roth) Fredericq


Description: Thallus attached by a small disc and growing to a length of 12 cms. Slightly compressed growing to 12 cms long, branching variable, often pinnate, with pointed apices. Branches often arching and reattaching.

Habitat: Epilithic in the lower littoral and sublittoral, generally on sheltered shores.

Distribution: Clearly with a south-western distribution in the British Isles. Europe: Mediterranean, Azores, Portugal, Spain and France. Atlantic coast of North America: North Carolina. Further afield: Canary Islands.

Similar Species: Gelidium spp. and Callliblepharis jubata.

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

iNaturalist: Chondracanthus acicularis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Chondracanthus acicularis at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Morton, O., Keatley, L., Morrow, C.C. & Picton, B.E. (2026). Chondracanthus acicularis. (Roth) Fredericq. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZM6160. Accessed on 2026-11-01