The large thallus is up to 10m long, with a single smooth broad blade which splits into several parallel longitudinal straps. The holdfast is multiply branched, and the stipe is usually solid, fairly stiff, round in section and tapers gradually toward the blade. In specimens with hollow stipes the stipe narrows towards the base.[1]
Distribution
Danger Point on the south coast of South Africa to Port Nolloth in Namibia, Tristan da Cunha and Gough islands in the Atlantic and St Paul Island in the Indian Oacean.[1]
Type locality: Table Bay, Cape Province, South Africa (Silva, Basson & Moe 1996: 641).[2]
Ecology
Laminaria pallida, Namibia, in intertidal or shallow subtidal zone
Commonly found below a canopy of the Sea bamboo Ecklonia maxima down to 15 m, and replaces it in deeper water to 30 m The frond tips sweep the surrounding reef surface, reducing the numbers of animals that may eat sporelings.[3]
References
^ abStegenga, H.; Bolton, J.J.; Anderson, R.J. (1997). Seaweeds of the South African West Coast. Contributions from the Bolus Herbarium, University of Cape Town. ISBN978-0-7992-1793-3.
^Branch, G.M.; Branch, M.L.; Griffiths, C.L.; Beckley, L.E. (2010). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa (2nd ed.). Cape Town: Struik Nature. ISBN978 1 77007 772 0.
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