Ulva flexuosa
A large, tubular green alga found worldwide.
Ulva flexuosa, commonly called Enteromorpha flexuosa, belongs to the Ulvaceae family and occurs across the globe. This green seaweed can reach 25 centimeters in length, has a tubular shape, and closely resembles E. prolifera. Its branches are highly variable, with cells arranged in longitudinal rows and sometimes also in transverse rows.
In Europe, it appears in Ireland, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain (including Scotland), and on Corsica. African records include Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, as well as the Canary Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In Asia, it is found in Bahrain, China, India, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Yemen. The Americas host it in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, and Venezuela; in Central America it occurs in Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama; and in the Caribbean it is present on the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Martinique, Tobago, the Virgin Islands, and the Lesser and Netherlands Antilles. Within the United States, it is distributed across California, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Ulva
- Species
- flexuosa
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
This species is described as very variable, with branches showing cells in longitudinal and sometimes also in transverse rows. It is similar to E. prolifera in form. The article notes that Ulva flexuosa is now generally referred to as Enteromorpha flexuosa, indicating a taxonomic reclassification.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Ulva flexuosa lies in its extremely broad global distribution, as documented across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. In Europe it is recorded from Ireland, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Great Britain (Scotland), and Corsica. African records include Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, and islands such as the Canary Islands, Madagascar, Mauritius, and São Tomé and Príncipe. In Asia it is found in Bahrain, China, India, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Yemen. The Americas host it in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and Caribbean islands including the Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Martinique, Tobago, Virgin Islands, and the Lesser and Netherlands Antilles. Within the United States it is distributed in California, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. Its legacy is as a widely reported, morphologically variable species that has undergone a name change, reflecting ongoing taxonomic work.
Did You Know?
- It can grow up to 25 cm in length.
- Its branches show cells in longitudinal and sometimes transverse rows.
- It is found on every continent except Antarctica, including many islands.
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