Morphology and development in culture of Enteromorpha linza (L.) J. Agardh (Ulvaceae, Chlorophyta), a common marine alga of southern Australia

Abstract

This study establishes the presence of Enteromorpha linza (L.) J. Agardh as a common alga of southern Australia. E. linza is characterized and distinguished from most other species within the Ulvaceae by a hollow, monostromatic stipe and a distromatic blade with a tubular margin. The morphology, anatomy and development in culture of sampled populations resemble those of E. linza in other parts of the world. A comparison between southern Australian populations of E. linza and Ulva lactuca L. shows that these two species, which have been confused, can easily be differentiated on both anatomical and developmental criteria.