Description: Thallus filamentous large to 15 cms or more long and densely branched. Final branches sickle-shaped (falcate) and arranged on one side (pectinate).

Habitat: Common. Epilithic, epiphytic or epizoic. Low littoral and in brackish pools.

Distribution: Widespread throughout the British Isles including the Shetlands. Europe: Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Portugal, Atlantic coasts of Spain and France, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Baltic Sea. Atlantic coast of North America: Canada, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Virginia and Florida. Further afield: the Canary Islands, Algeria, Pacific including Japan, El Salvador, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon.

Similar Species: Most species of Cladophora are similar and difficult to identify, may be difficult to identify.

Key Identification Features:

• Final branches pectinate and falcate.

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

iNaturalist: Cladophora albida at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Cladophora albida at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Cladophora albida (Nees) Kutzing, 1843. AphiaID: 145033.

Classification: Biota; Plantae; Viridiplantae; Chlorophyta; Chlorophytina; Ulvophyceae; Cladophorales; Cladophoraceae; Cladophora