Live Tufted Weed (Polysiphonia spp.) This is a wet, live, science specimen
The Tufted Weed (Polysiphonia spp.) is a delicate red seaweed commonly found as an epiphyte growing on knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) along the middle intertidal zone. Its fine, filamentous branches form soft, feathery tufts that vary from deep red to brownish hues, creating a striking contrast against the green of its host algae.
Hand-collected from the Gulf of Maine, this species is ideal for marine botany studies, aquarium displays, or classroom demonstrations exploring algal diversity and intertidal ecology.
Common name: Tufted weed Scientific name:Polysiphonia spp. Locations: Middle intertidal areas as an epiphyte on Ascophyllum (knotted wrack) Seasonality: Available all year Colors: Deep red-brown Size: Tufts 1” – 2” long, arranged in clusters along knotted wrack Collected: By hand Quantity: 1 pint volume
Uses: Perfect for aquariums, marine biology lessons, and red algae identification labs.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Live Tufted Weed (Polysiphonia spp.) This is a wet, live, science specimen
The Tufted Weed (Polysiphonia spp.) is a delicate red seaweed commonly found as an epiphyte growing on knotted wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) along the middle intertidal zone. Its fine, filamentous branches form soft, feathery tufts that vary from deep red to brownish hues, creating a striking contrast against the green of its host algae.
Hand-collected from the Gulf of Maine, this species is ideal for marine botany studies, aquarium displays, or classroom demonstrations exploring algal diversity and intertidal ecology.
Common name: Tufted weed Scientific name:Polysiphonia spp. Locations: Middle intertidal areas as an epiphyte on Ascophyllum (knotted wrack) Seasonality: Available all year Colors: Deep red-brown Size: Tufts 1” – 2” long, arranged in clusters along knotted wrack Collected: By hand Quantity: 1 pint volume
Uses: Perfect for aquariums, marine biology lessons, and red algae identification labs.
Note: This is a live marine specimen. Natural variations in size, color, and appearance from photos should be expected. If you would like any specimen preserved, please send a request to: info@gulfofme.com.
Tufted weed growing on rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum).
Tidepool Tim says, “Polysiphonia grows on knotted wrack like a little hitchhiker. It does no harm to the Ascophyllum it just uses it as a place to attach and grow - kind of like vines growing on large trees in the rainforest. In order to find this tufted weed, I must search and search along the beaches in the large knotted wrack beds. this is very slippery work and i tend to frequently fall off my feet. Sometimes it is very easy to locate and at other times it may take an hour to find the right place and spot the little tufts hanging from the rockweed. This seaweed is an epiphyte.”
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