Biodiversity & Conservation

A kelp - Laminaria ochroleuca

Laminaria ochroleuca

Image Keith Hiscock - Laminaria ochroleuca. Image width ca 1.2 m.
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Distribution map

Laminaria ochroleuca recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

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Laminaria ochroleuca is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Ochrophyta Brown and yellow-green seaweeds
Class Phaeophyceae
Authority De La Pylaie 1824
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland An isolated recording in the Shetland Islands but otherwise found on the coast of south west England including Lundy, the Isles of Scilly, south Devon and Cornwall.
Habitat information icon Habitat information The species is found on rocks from the low water spring tide level to the shallow subtidal. In some locations Laminaria ochroleuca may be found in deeper water. For example, in the Isles of Scilly a park of Laminaria ochroleuca is found deeper than Laminaria hyperborea at a depth of about 25 m. The species may occur as mono-specific stands or as mixed stands with other Laminaria species.
Text page icon Description Laminaria ochroleuca is a yellow-brown digitate kelp up to about 1.5 m in length. It has a distinct yellow area at the junction of the stipe and the blade which is a key distinguishing feature. Laminaria ochroleuca also has a rigid round stem (or stipe) that is clean of any attached growths (epiphytes). The blade is broad and flattened, dividing into numerous strap like digits.
Identifying features
  • Bright yellow patch at base of blade.
  • Similar in appearance to Laminaria hyperborea but with a rigid round epiphyte free stipe.
Additional information icon Additional information None

This review can be cited as follows:

Jenny Smirthwaite 2007. Laminaria ochroleuca. A kelp. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 09/02/2010]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3615>