Description: Thallus foliose, attached by a short stipe with flat red fronds, up to 15 cms wide showing blue iridescence. Branching in fan-like manner, without veins. The apices of the branches are pointed and may reattach to the surface in older plants.

Habitat: Common. Epilithic in exposed sublittoral sites in clear water to depths of 30 m.

Distribution: Sublittoral in the British Isles in large patches mainly on south-westerly coasts but recorded from the Shetlands. Europe: Meditrranean and France.

Similar Species: Other species with fan-shaped blades. See Drachiella heterocarpa and Rhodophyllis divaricata

Key Identification Features:

• Thin fronds extending across rockfaces. Strong blue iridescence when alive.

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

iNaturalist: Drachiella spectabilis at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Drachiella spectabilis at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Drachiella spectabilis J.Ernst & Feldmann, 1957. AphiaID: 144747.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Biliphyta; Rhodophyta; Eurhodophytina; Florideophyceae; Rhodymeniophycidae; Ceramiales; Delesseriaceae; Nitophylloideae; Neuroglosseae; Drachiella