BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Laminaria digitata
All Taxonomy Biology Distribution Reproduction

Researched by	Jacqueline Hill	Data supplied by	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
General Biology
Growth form	Digitate Foliose Straplike / Ribbonlike	Feeding method	Photoautotroph
Mobility/Movement	Permanent attachment	Environmental position	Epilithic Epifloral
Typical food types	Not relevant	Habit	Attached
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Robust	Size	Large(>50cm)
Height	Up to 2 m	Growth Rate	1.3 cm/day
Adult dispersal potential	None	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
General Biology Additional Information	Kelps of the family Laminariaceae exhibit an alternation of generations, which involves dissimilar (heteromorphic) phases; an asexual diploid phase (the sporophyte) is usually of considerable size and a haploid dioecious phase (the gametophyte) that is microscopic. Sporophytes of Laminaria digitata can grow to a length of 2-4m. Growth rate is seasonally controlled with a period of rapid growth from February to July and one of slower growth from August to January. The growth rate given is the mean growth rate during season of maximal growth (Kain 1979). There is no defined growth zone in Laminaria digitata but growth is diffuse in the lamina (blade). In general the whole new lamina is able to grow but throughout the year it is greatest near the base.
Biology References	Dickinson, 1963, Guiry & Blunden, 1991, Birkett et al., 1998b, Kain, 1979, Bolten & Lüning, 1982,