Division Rhodophyta (Red algae)   Class Bangiophyceae Order Bangiales Family Bangiaceae Bangia fuscopurpurea Bangia fuscopurpurea appears as brownish to dull purplish filamentous patches in the upper intertidal zone. Consisting of groups of separate filaments from 2 to 10 cm in length, this alga is often found on large rocks.   Porphyra lanceolata Olive green to light gray in color, this algae can be as long as 50 cm and roughly 10 to 20 cm wide. Common in the mid-intertidal zone, this alga is shiny and glossy in appearance.   Porphyra perforata (california nori or purple laver) Light green in color with variable length, this is the most common Porphyra in California and is easily found in the mid-intertidal zone. Its blade has many pores in it and like its relative, Porphyra lanceolata, it too has a very shiny and glossy appearance.   Class Florideophyceae Order Ceramiales Family Ceramiaceae Microcladia coulteri Microcladia coulteri is a very small, light violet, fine and feather-like red algae. Only a few inches in length, this mid-intertidal alga can easily be found at Pillar Point. The right image shows Microcladia growing on Gigartina exasperata.   Family Delesseriaceae Botryoglossum farlowinianum This red alga found subtidally ranges from 10 to 16 cm in length, and possess uniquely furry and ruffled edges. When viewed in the light, veins appear in the blades of this alga that do not anastomose (intertwine extensively).   Polyneura latisima Deep violet in color, this alga is found subtidally at Pillar Point. Its length is variable, but when viewed in the light anastomosing veins become apparent.   Family Rhodomelaceae Laurencia spectabilis (sea laurel) A brownish, mid-intertidal alga of 10 to 16 cm in length, Laurencia spectabilis is unique for its branching with button-like endings.   Polysiphonia pacifica This red-colored algae can be found in the mid-intertidal zone at Pillar Point. It is very fine and thread-like, and quite similar in appearance to the red alga bangia fuscopurpurea.   Rhodomela larix Dark brown in color, roughly 8 to 10 cm in length, and abundant in the mid-intertidal zone at Pillar Point, the morphology of this red-alga is unusual in that it resembles dread-locks.   Order Crytonemiales Family Corallinaceae Corallina officinalis (tall coralline alga) Common in every intertidal zone and made predominantly of calcium carbonate, this alga is rough and coarse to the touch. Pinkish in color, Corallina officinalis measures 5 to 15 cm in length, is very slender, shows segmentation, and is very common at Pillar Point.   Corallina malbesia At Pillar Point, this encrusting red alga can be found growing on the surfaces of the subtidal grass, Phyllospadix scouleri. This alga is pinkish in color.   Family Cryptonemiaceae Prionitis lanceolata This subtidal alga of Pillar Point is noteworthy by its individual blades that look like tiny lances or swords. It is dark brown in color and ranges from 13 to 20 cm in length. Family Endocladiaceae Endocladia muricata (wirebrush) This supratidal red alga is easily found on the top surfaces of rocks at Pillar Point. It stands about 5 cm tall and appears brown in color. In addition, many tiny hooks can be seen projecting from each branch.   Family Peyssonneliaceae Hildenbrandia occidentalis This thin, encrusting red algae is red to dark brown in color and is commonly found at Pillar Point growing on anything from rocks to snails.   Order Gigartinales Family Soleriaceae Family Gigartinaceae Gigartina agardii This common mid-intertidal red alga at Pillar Point is small, about 5 cm tall, and is smoother with less papillae (reproductive organs) than other types of Gigartina. It is brown in color.   Gigartina canaliculata Found in the mid-intertidal zone at Pillar Point, this alga is roughly 7 to 10 cm in length, is brown in color, and has many smooth branches lacking papillae. Similar to Endocladia muricata, Gigartina canaliculata can be distinguished by its much longer hooks.   Gigartina exasperata (turkish towel alga) A common lower intertidal alga at Pillar Point, this alga is often found with brownish-red blades possessing irregular margins. Blades grows up to 90 cm in length from a single holdfast. Gigartina exasperata owes its common name to its texture, which resembles that of a Turkish towel.   Gigartina papillata Like Gigartina agardii, this alga is also common at Pillar Point at the mid-intertidal zone. Gigartina papillata measures from 8 to 10 cm in length, possesses many papillae and is brown in color.   Iridaea cordata (iridescent seaweed) This flat, dark violet colored, ovoid shaped, shiny red alga has a rather large blade of 8 to 15 cm in length, and is found in the low intertidal to subtidal zones of Pillar Point.   Iridaea flaccida (seaweed) Classified as a red alga, this is in fact green in color with many red dots on its blade representing a reproductively mature stage. It is mid-intertidal, is 8 to 10 cm in length and is quite common at Pillar Point.   Order Nemaliales Family Achrochaetiaceae Family Gelidiaceae Gelidium nudifrons This low-intertidal red alga at Pillar Point is light violet in color and is several centimeters in length. It is noted for its "spaghetti-like" appearance.   Order Rhodymeniales Family Champiaceae Gastroclonium coulteri This red alga is roughly 10 cm tall and resembles sausages. Its unique morphology includes a lower red portion and a green upper portion of the thallus. It is commonly found in the sub-tidal zone.   Family Rhodymeniaceae Halosaccion glandiforme (sea sac) This strange hollow alga appears yellowish brown to reddish purple in color. Commonly found on the rocks and clefts of the mid intertidal zone, these cylinder-like sacs normally contain water. At an early stage, the sac somewhat resembles a garbanzo bean.