CHROMOPHYTA : Dictyotales : DictyotaceaeBROWN ALGAE

Dictyopteris polypodioides (Stackhouse) Batters


Dictyopteris polypodioides image: dicmem
Dictyopteris polypodioides

Description: Frands to 30 cms long, branches flat and 1 - 2 cms wide with a narrow midrib. Branches thin and dichotomous, readily tearing at the margins.

Habitat: Rare. Sublittoral locally abundant.

Distribution: South-western distribution in the British Isles from south-west England, around Ireland except the east coast, south-west Scotland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. Europe: Mediterranean, Azores, Portugal, Atlantic coasts of Spain and France. Further afield: Jamacia, Canary Islands, Mauritania and wesrt coast Africa.

Similar Species: Species of Fucus may appear similar but Dictyopteris is not thick and leatherly.

Key Identification Features:

  • Fucus-like with a mid-rib, thin and delicate.

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

iNaturalist: Dictyopteris polypodioides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

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 Morton, O., Keatley, L., Morrow, C.C. & Picton, B.E. (2026). Dictyopteris polypodioides. (Stackhouse) Batters. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZR4520. Accessed on 2026-11-01