Corallina officinalis (common coral weed)
Corallina officinalis © J Brodie
Corallina officinalis is a calcified red seaweed, a coralline alga commonly found in rock pools on seashores around the world.
Corallina officinalis belongs to a large group of calcified seaweeds with more than 564 species that are found on seashores and in seas around the world.
Corallina officinalis is a jointed or geniculate coralline alga. Other species of coralline algae are crustose species and look like someone has painted the rocks with pink or mauve paint.
Other species of coralline algae can form deposits known as maerl beds. These are extremely important habitats for other organisms. Maerl is also commercially exploitable as a source of lime and trace minerals in the agricultural, horticultural and medical industries.
Species detail
Fronds of Corallina officinalis grow in tufts that develop from a flat coralline base. They are segmented to provide flexibility in seawater. The fronds are also oppositely branched.
This seaweed is a dull purple but its colour can vary depending on the conditions. It can appear red, yellow or white when bleached in bright light.
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Taxonomy
This seaweed grows in tufts from a coralline base. Its colour varies. Find out why.
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Distribution and habitat
Corallina officinalis occurs in the North Atlantic, often forming distinct zones below the rim of rock pools.
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Biology
Seaweed life histories are complex, but fascinating. Find out more about the reproductive cycle of Corallina officinalis.
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Conservation
Corallina officinalis may in future be affected by ocean acidification, but for now it does not appear to be threatened.
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References
Get references for Corallina officinalis.
Images
Corallina officinalis.
© A M Mortensen
Corallina officinalis
© J Brodie
Corallina officinalis with conceptacles.
© A M Mortensen
Conceptacle.
© R Walker
Tetrasporangium in conceptacle
© J Brodie
Released tetrasporangium.
© R Walker
Growing tip coralline alga.
© R Walker
Lithothamnion glaciale northern maerl.
© J Brodie
Phymatolithon purpurem.
© J Brodie
Crustose corallines in rock pool.
© J Brodie
Crustose corallines on lower shore.
© J Brodie
Corallina caespitosa
© J Brodie
Corallina elongata.
© J Brodie
Corallina elongata.
© J Brodie
Corallina elongata.
© J BrodieAuthor
Prof Juliet Brodie
Research Chair, Division of Genomic and Microbial Diversity, Department of Life Sciences.
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