Algae
Dulse
Palmaria palmata
(VIIIa) Bay of Biscay - North, (VIIIb) Bay of Biscay - Central
Zones de pêche
Wild
Origine
25 cm
Taille minimale
Description
This is a red seaweed with a flat, membranous thallus (the body of the seaweed). It is divided into broad segments that resemble the fingers of a hand, hence its species name *palmata*. Its texture is supple, somewhat leathery but thin. It has no central rib. Its color ranges from purplish red to dark purple-brown. It can lighten and turn yellowish when exposed to strong sunlight at the top of the beach. It is attached to rocks (or sometimes to other seaweeds such as kelp) by a small attachment disc called a holdfast. The fronds generally measure between 10 and 30 cm, but can exceptionally reach 50 cm in length.
Habitat
It grows mainly in the intertidal zone (the area affected by the tides), specifically from mean sea level to the low-tide mark. It attaches itself to rocks and pebbles in areas exposed to waves or currents. It is also frequently epiphytic, meaning it grows on the thalli (stems) of large brown algae such as Laminaria hyperborea. It prefers cool, well-oxygenated waters.
Distribution
This species is typical of the temperate and cold waters of the North Atlantic. It is found from the Arctic (Russia, Norway, Iceland) to the coast of Portugal. It is very abundant along the coasts of Brittany, the British Isles, and Ireland. It is not found in the Mediterranean Sea.