| Family: |
Rhodomelaceae () |
| Max. size: |
|
| Environment: |
sessile; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. |
| Diagnosis: |
Thalli erect, dull brownish red. Branches densely clothed with hair-like determinate branchlets, especially at the upper half portion of the thallus. Branching of the main axis basically dichotomous but may become irregular due to the production of adventitious laterals. Determinate branchlets uncorticated and consisting of a distinct axial cell surrounded by nine pericentral cells. Thalli up to 9 cm in height (Ref. 80758). |
| Biology: |
Utilized for medicinal purposes: as anthelmintic, vermifuge and laxative; source of agar, kainic and a-allokainic acids, kainic acid is a vermifuge or anthelmintic against the parasitic round worm (Ascaris), the whip worm (Trichuris), and tapeworm (Taenia) (Ref. 80758). Abundant and commonly grows in the intertidal belt, down to depths of 20 m (Ref. 80758), on coral fragments, rocks or other hard substrates (Ref. 83908). Also grows in calm bays and in open lagoons (Ref. 80758). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
| Country info: |
|
Source and more info: www.sealifebase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
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