Caulerpa sedoides
A delicate green seaweed with ovoid beads, native to Australia.
Caulerpa sedoides, commonly called mini-grapes or bubble caulerpa, is a marine seaweed from the Caulerpaceae family. Its native range is Australia. The alga is light to medium green and delicate, with a thallus reaching about 15 centimeters (6 inches) in size. Small, elongated, ovoid beads are spaced loosely along the main axis, or stolon. This stolon is often branched and grows from rhizomes or running stolons that anchor to rocky surfaces in marine environments. The species was first formally described by botanist Carl Adolph Agardh in 1817 in *Synopsis algarum Scandinaviae, adjecta dispositione universali algarum*, and was once known as *Caulerpa germinata*. Its distribution centers on southern Australia, from southern Queensland through Victoria, Tasmania, and the coast of South Australia. In Western Australia, it appears along the Mid West coast and much of the southern coastline east of Esperance. C. sedoides is also found in waters around New Zealand, some Pacific Islands and South Korea. The seaweed’s intertwined runners are often found in rock pools near the low tide level in rough water, at depths up to 25 meters (82 feet).
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Caulerpa
- Species
- sedoides
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Caulerpa sedoides was first formally described by the botanist Carl Adolph Agardh in 1817 as part of the work Synopsis algarum Scandinaviae, adjecta dispositione universali algarum. It was once known as Caulerpa germinata. The species has a thallus that grows to a size of around 15 centimeters, with small elongated ovoid shaped beads arranged loosely along the main stolon or axis. The stolon is often branched and arises from rhizomes or running stolons that are usually fixed to rocky surfaces in a marine environment.
Reader's Guide
Caulerpa sedoides is found mostly in the waters of southern Australia, with its range extending from southern Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and the coast of South Australia. In Western Australia, it occurs along the coast in the Mid West region and along much of the southern coastline to east of Esperance. The seaweed is also found in waters around New Zealand, some Pacific Islands and South Korea. It is often found in rock pools around the low tide level in rough water areas up to a depth of 25 meters. Its common names, mini-grapes and bubble caulerpa, reflect its distinctive bead-like appearance. The species is part of the Caulerpaceae family and is known for its intertwined runners that anchor to rocky surfaces.
Did You Know?
- Caulerpa sedoides is also known as mini-grapes or bubble caulerpa.
- The species was once known as Caulerpa germinata.
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