Enteromorpha (Ulva) clathrata

<strong>Enteromorpha</strong> (<strong>Ulva</strong>) <strong>clathrata</strong><br />

(Roth) Greville<br />

Techniques needed and plant shape<br />

Classification Phylum: Chlorophyta; Order: <strong>Ulva</strong>les; Family: <strong>Ulva</strong>ceae<br />

*Descriptive name green hair-plant<br />

* Descriptive names are inventions to aid identification, and are not commonly used<br />

“Algae Revealed” R N Baldock, S Australian State Herbarium, October 2003; modified February 2009, October 2009<br />

50.470<br />

Features plants light green, 20-80mm tall, much branched irregularly from the base, of thin<br />

threads 1-3mm wide, cylindrical or slightly flat<br />

Variations variable in thread width, can be loosely attached in calm regions, threads<br />

sometimes unbranched<br />

Special requirements view the branches microscopically to find:<br />

1. cells relatively large, box-shaped always in more than 1 line of cells along<br />

hollow threads<br />

2. chloroplasts often occupy only a part of the cell, have toothed edges and 2-4<br />

bright spots (pyrenoids)<br />

Occurrences worldwide in temperate moderate to calm seas<br />

Usual Habitat in the intertidal and shallow water<br />

Similar Species superficially like many filamentous species, especially <strong>Enteromorpha</strong> paradoxa<br />

but that species has numerous, opposite, fine side branches of a single line of cells<br />

Description in the Benthic Flora Part I, pages 157-160<br />

Details of Anatomy<br />

MACRO<br />

PLANT<br />

Radial<br />

branching<br />

<strong>Enteromorpha</strong> <strong>clathrata</strong> (A6510 slide 7570) stained blue and viewed microscopically<br />

1. cell detail of a cylindrical side branch, showing the several lines of cells<br />

2. branching pattern showing irregular side branches containing several lines of cells (pluriseriate)<br />

3. cell detail showing the jagged edges to some chloroplasts<br />

tubular

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forms of <strong>Enteromorpha</strong> <strong>clathrata</strong><br />

(Roth) Greville<br />

4. an attached plant (A54573<br />

5. fine, detached hair-like form<br />

(A3343b)<br />

* Descriptive names are inventions to aid identification, and are not commonly used<br />

“Algae Revealed” R N Baldock, S Australian State Herbarium, October 2003; modified February 2009, October 2009