Home - Species of the Month Archive - August 2007.
Species of the Month August 2007
Common name: Wireweed
Latin name: Sargassum muticum
A type of brown seaweed (Algae)
Key Features
- Bushy brown seaweed.
- 'Wire-like' stem.
- Covered in what looks like small leaves and tiny round floats.
- Attached to rocks by a small holdfast.
- Very dense, feels coarse and wiry.
- May form very long lengths (like a 'washing line').
Where to look:
On the middle and lower.
Origin:
The Pacific Ocean, probably Japan. transported with oysters.
Effects of wamer seas:
Will become more widespread.
Effects on the environment:
Grows fast. Shades rockpools, may alter temperature. Covers other plants and animals.
More information:
Click here find out more about this species on the MarLIN website
