Apoglossum ruscifolium

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Apoglossum ruscifolium (Turner) J. Agardh

Taxonomy
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Ceramiales
Family: Delesseriaceae
Genus: Apoglossum
Species: A. ruscifolium
Binomial name: Apoglossum ruscifolium (Turner) J. Agardh

Description
Apoglossum ruscifolium is a small red seaweed. It has branched monostromic blades up to about 10 cm long. The main axis bears blades up to 10 cm long and 0.8 cm wide, with a clear midrib and pointed tips; lateral veins are microscopic. It is similar to Membranoptera alata and Hypoglossum hypoglossoides but can be distinguished: Hypoglossum hypoglossoides has clearly pointed branches, while young blades of Membranoptera alata are not pointed and are asymmetric with pincers-like tips. Microscopic sori occur on both sides of the midrib. Female cystocarps occur singly on the frond.

Distribution
This red alga is recorded around Great Britain and Ireland (including Shetland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands) and from Norway to the Mediterranean, extending into the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.