CHROMOPHYTA : Fucales : FucaceaeBROWN ALGAE

Fucus serratus Linnaeus, 1753


Description: Thallus tough and leathery, growing to 150 cms long, frond broad with branches to 2 cms wide and a clear midrib. The margins, including the apex, show sharp forward-pointing teeth.

Habitat: Very common in masses on rock covering much of a shore in the lower littoral. Between Acscphyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus except in exposed sites where the species is rare or absent. Without bladders.

Distribution: Common on all coasts of the British Isles except the most exposed and the most sheltered. Common in most of Europe: Portugal, Spain, France, Netherlands, Baltic, Norway and Iceland. Greenland. Atlantic coast of North America: Canada. Further afield: Spitzbergen, the Murman Sea, the White Sea and Baffin Bay.

Similar Species: Other large Fucus species.

Key Identification Features:

  • Flat and tough with serrated teeth along the margins.

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

iNaturalist: Fucus serratus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Fucus serratus at World Register of Marine Species.

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 Morton, O., Keatley, L., Morrow, C.C. & Picton, B.E. (2026). Fucus serratus. Linnaeus, 1753. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.
https://habitas.org/mbdp/species.php?item=ZR6740. Accessed on 2026-11-01