Rock Platforms: Intertidal Zone - Sea Grapes, Hormosira banksii
Variously called sea grapes, bubble weed or Neptune's necklace, Hormosira
grows extensively on rock platforms, particularly in the lower part of the intertidal zone.
Hormosira is anchored to the rock platform by its holdfast. The series of leathery, fluid-filled beads are the receptacles.
Hormosira is dioecious, that is, individuals are single-sexed, with male and female gametes produced on separate thalli.
The small, warty growths on the surface of the receptacles are the conceptacles and contain the reproductive organs.
Move the mouse over text in the image to identify the features of the thallus structure.