Intertidal Organisms EZ-ID GUIDES

Leathesia difformis (Sea cauliflower)

Copyright © 2006 Jan Holmes

These brain-like brown seaweeds can be found growing on rock or as epiphytes on other seaweeds in the mid to low intertidal.  Individuals can grow to ~15 cm in diameter.  Young individuals can resemble other globular forms of algae.  To determine if it is Leathesia, squeeze and flatten a piece between your fingers.  Leathesia will break apart into filaments whereas other globular forms will flatten but remain intact.

This page was created by Jan Holmes on 12/18/06.