Description: Gametangial phase: thallus attached by discoid holdfast and up to 10 cms long. Profusely branched and bearing branchlets with whorls of ramuli. Gelatinous. The tetrasporic phase (Rhododiscus pulcherrimus) is a minute encrusting plant no more tham 8mm wide and very thin.

Habitat: Very rare. Sublittoral to 20 m. Gametangial phase epiphytic on coralline algae. Tetrasporangial plants on stones, shells, pottery and maerl.

Distribution: Few records from the British Isles: Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Europe: Portugal, Spain and France. Further afield: Canary Islands.

Key Identification Features:

• Gametangial phase: whorls of ramuli visible under high power.

Distribution Map from NBN: Atractophora hypnoides at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Atractophora hypnoides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Atractophora hypnoides at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Atractophora hypnoides P.Crouan & H.Crouan, 1848. AphiaID: 145767.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Biliphyta; Rhodophyta; Eurhodophytina; Florideophyceae; Rhodymeniophycidae; Atractophorales; Atractophoraceae; Atractophora