Seaweed ID please

[pleb]

Hi,



Is this Fucus ceranoides? Growing by the Plym estuary in Plymouth. It looks to be according to my book but I have niggling doubts.

Thanks,
Phil

[Dorts]

Hi Phil, I agree it looks like a young plant of Horned Wrack.

I suppose the only other possibility is a young plant of Channelled Wrack - Pelvetia canaliculata, heres a mature plant.


But on reflection, it doesn't look quite right for that species. So I'd stick to your first choice of
Fucus ceranoides.
Dorts.

[pleb]

Thanks very much for your help.

I would like to learn more about seaweeds but am unsure how to start. I see there is a book 'Seasearch Guide to Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland'. Do you know it and would you recommend it?

I have a binocular x20, x40, x80 microscope that I use.

Thanks once again,

Phil

[Dorts]

Pleb, if it's any help.
I've done a bit more reasearch and have found that Fucus ceranoides (Horned Wrack), is a plant primarily of estuaries and is generally absent from fully marine habitats.

Was your plant from an estuary? If not we will have to consider maybe one of the other very similar Fucus species.
Dorts.

[pleb]

Dort, It was from the Plym estuary in Plymouth. There was abundant Fucus spiralis, which was the dominant species, there as well. Here is another photo, taken at the same time and place.

[Dorts]

Phil, I'm happy that it's Fucus ceranoides knowing that it was growing in the estuary.
All the best.
Dorts.