Chlorophyta-14 Halimeda
Halimeda deposits Calcium Carbonate in its cell walls. It rsembles geniculate red algae in that parts of the thallus are uncalcified. This allows the organism to be flexible in water currents.
It is an important speceis for reef building. Its primary role is to provide sand particles which can be cemented into a solid material by other reef building species.
Some speceis have an extensive holdfast which allows them to anchor themselves in sandy bottoms. They can also adhere to solid substrates. The Rhizoids adhere to the sediment and produce a massive bulbous structure.
They are found on Reef Flats but can also be found at significant depths.
 Note the Bulbous Mass produced by Rhizoids of the Holdfast which are firmly attached to sand particles. |
 Note the Artciulated (segmented) nature of the thallus. Most of the thallus is calcified but the uncalcified segments provide flexibility. |
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