Cystoseira amentacea (C.Agardh) Bory 1832, Carpodesmia amentacea (C.Agardh) Orellana & Sansón 2019
A very short, up to 15 cm tall, very densely growing caespitose algae, yellowish in coloration and a spiny appearance, resembling a succulent plant. The young, apical parts are noticeably iridescent.
The species grows in clumps, having a very large holdfast with numerous, tightly packed axes. Fertile in spring and early summer.
Intertidal, shallow subtidal, occasionally found deeper (-10m) but in a different, taller form. Grows mostly in heavily exposed areas.
Widespread, but patchy, and is found primarily on the southern and eastern coast. The species shows signs of regression, mostly due to urchin overgrazing, habitat loss and calcification.
- E. amentacea f. crassa – A taller form, growing less densly and appearing a bit deeper, down to 7 m.