Description: Thallus grows from a discoid holdfast to form a frond with distinctive pectinate branching. The frond, up to 15 cms long, is generally flattened and the profuse sympodial branching. The final branchlets are comb-like in groups of 2 - 6 in regular sequence, each group alternating with a similar group on the other side. Gametangial and tetrasporangial plants are similar.

Habitat: Common. Epilithic in the sublittoral to 30 m or more.

Distribution: All around the British Isles including the Shetlands.

Key Identification Features:

• Plocamium species are easily recognised by the "comb-like" final branchlets.

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

iNaturalist: Plocamium lyngbyanum at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Plocamium lyngbyanum at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Plocamium lyngbyanum Kützing, 1843. AphiaID: 502848.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Biliphyta; Rhodophyta; Eurhodophytina; Florideophyceae; Rhodymeniophycidae; Plocamiales; Plocamiaceae; Plocamium