CHROMOPHYTA : Sphacelariales : StypocaulaceaeBROWN ALGAE

Sphacelaria radicans (Dillwyn) Harvey


Description: Main axis with transverse and longitudinal divisions ending with a large apical cell. To 3 cms long and tufted with few irregular branches.

Habitat: Not un-common. Littoral and upper sublittoral to 6 m, epilithic on sand covered rock.

Distribution: Widely distributed around the British Isles. Europe: France, Netherlands, Baltic Sea, Sweden, Norway, Spitzbergen and Iceland. Greenland. Atlantic coast of North America: Canada, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Long Island.

Similar Species: Most species of Sphacelaria, and other small branched brown algae, are very alike and require microscopic examination for identification.

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

iNaturalist: Sphacelaria radicans at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Sphacelaria radicans at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Morton, O., Keatley, L., Morrow, C.C. & Picton, B.E. (2026). Sphacelaria radicans. (Dillwyn) Harvey. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZR4230. Accessed on 2026-11-01