Egg Wrack

Egg Wrack Wool

10/16Posted in Algae, Coast, Nature Photography, SeaweedsTagged Algae, Ascophyllum nodosum, Beach, Devon, Egg Wrack, Macro, Macro Photography, Meadfoot Beach, Nature, Nature Photography, Ocean, Rock Pool, Rock Pools, Sea, Seashore, Seaweed, Seaweeds, Torquay, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography4 Comments

Polysiphonia lanosa

A brownish-red seaweed which is tufted and made up of branching filaments which gives it a wool-like consistancy. Length 70cm.

Found middle to low shore, and grows mainly on Egg Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) for physical support, known as an epiphyte. It makes use of the hosts buoyancy at high tide so it will gain more sunlight. Common and widespread throughout the British coastline.

Photographs of Egg Wrack Wool (Polysiphonia lanosa), taken August 2015, in rock pool Meadfoot Beach, Torquay, Devon. © Pete Hillman 2015. Camera used Nikon D3200, with Sigma 105mm macro lens.

10/1610/16Posted in Algae, Coast, Llandudno, Nature Photography, Places, SeaweedsTagged Ascophyllum nodosum, Egg Wrack, Knotted Wrack, Llandudno, Nature, Nature Photography, Ocean, Sea, Seashore, Seaweed, Wales, Wildlife, Wildlife Photography2 Comments

Ascophyllum nodosum

Also called ‘Knotted Wrack’, this is a yellowish to olive-green seaweed, which has long, narrow chain-like fronds with gas-filled bladders. This is a slow-growing seaweed which has no mid-rib. Height 0.5 to 2m.

Found on rocky shores, often on the mid-shore, preferring sheltered conditions, extending into estuaries and usually attached to rocks. It reproduces April to June. Egg Wrack Wool (Polysiphonia lanosa) is commonly found attached to it in clumps. A common and widespread species.

Photograph of Egg Wrack (Ascophyllum nodosum) taken June 2012, Llandudno, Wales. © Pete Hillman 2012. Camera used Nikon Coolpix P500.