Prasiola stipitata is a small green alga of the family Praiolaceae. This species has been recorded in Iceland, the Faroe Islands, on the Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe as well as on the coasts of Australia and New Zealand. It inhabits cold temperature high-nutrient habitats.
Description This alga grows to no more than 1 centimeter long, is fan shaped with a distinct stipe. The vegetative frond is monostromatic. The cells in the blade are arranged in packets of 4 or more. In colour the fronds are dark green.Bunker, F.StP.D., Maggs, C.A., Brodie, J.A., Bunker, A.R. 2017. Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. Second Edition, Wild Nature Press, PlymouthBurrows, E.M. 1991. Seaweeds of the British Isles Volume 2 Chlorophyta. Natural History Museum, London
Habitat P. stipitata thrives in high-nutrient habitats and is therefore often found in the spray water zone of shores frequented by sea birds.Lewis, J.R. 1964. The Ecology of Rocky Shores. The English Universities Press LtdMorton, O. 1994 Marine Algae of Northern Ireland. Ulster Museum, Belfast
Distribution Rather erratic in its distribution.Morton, O. 2003. The marine macroalgae of County Donegal, Ireland. Bulletin of Irish biogeographical Society. No, 27 p 95 Recorded mostly from cold-temperate regions on both hemispheres, e.g. Iceland, the Faroes, Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe, including Great Britain and Ireland, as well as from Australia and New Zealand. This species has also been recorded at the Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell Islands.
Reproduction Sexual and asexual plants have been recorded.
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