Size

Colony height: reaching 3-5 cm (1.5-2")

Recognition Characters

Colonies irregularly branched. Basal stalk long and athecate giving rise to thecate branches. Hydrothecate branches consist of alternating hydrothecate and athecate internodes. Hydrothecae cup-shaped, distal 1/3 free.

Color

Brown to black

Habitat & Depth

Colonize wide range of shallow to continental shelf habitats. Attach to rocky substrates and artificial reefs. To 30m.

Distribution at GRNMS

Abundant. Attach to a variety of substrates and other organisms.

Geographic Range

Massachusetts to Brazil

Behavior & Notes

Synonyms

References

Calder 1983