Description: Growing as a flat blade from a discoid holdfast and dividing into a few broad segments to a maximum length of 50 cm and branching from the margins. Dark brownish-red.

Habitat: Common. Epilithic or epiphytic especially on Laminaria stipes. Lower littoral and sublittoral to about 20 m on all except the most exposed rocky shores.

Distribution: Generally distributed around the British Isles. Europe: Portugal, Atlantic coasts of Spain and France, Baltic Sea, Norway, Faroes, Spitzbergen and Iceland. Greenland. Atlantic coasts of North America: Canada, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Jersey. Further afield: Arctic Sea from the White Sea and Baffin Bay. Pacific coasts of North America, Alaska to California, Japan and Korea.

Similar Species: Dilsea carnosa is similar but very leathery, usually undivided although older blades may split.

Key Identification Features:

• Flat blade dividing into a few segments and branching from the margins.

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

iNaturalist: Palmaria palmata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Palmaria palmata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Palmaria palmata (Linnaeus) F.Weber & D.Mohr, 1805. AphiaID: 145771.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Biliphyta; Rhodophyta; Eurhodophytina; Florideophyceae; Nemaliophycidae; Palmariales; Palmariaceae; Palmaria