Description: Main axis with transverse and longitudinal divisions ending with a large apical cell. Growing erect as dense brush-like tufts to 2 cms high, branching irregular.

Habitat: Rare. Lower littoral.

Distribution: Generally of western distribution in the British Isles. Europe: Mediterranean, Azores, Portugal Atlantic coasts of Spain and France, Baltic Sea. Further afield: the Canary Islands.

Similar Species: Most species of Sphacelaria, and other small branched brown algae, are very alike and require microscopic examination for identification.

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

iNaturalist: Sphacelaria tribuloides at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Sphacelaria tribuloides at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Sphacelaria tribuloides Meneghini, 1840. AphiaID: 145904.

Classification: Biota; Chromista; Harosa; Heterokonta; Ochrophyta; Phaeophyceae; Dictyotophycidae; Sphacelariales; Sphacelariaceae; Sphacelaria