Syn. Cystoseira corniculata (Turner) Zanardini 1841
A short, up to 30cm tall, but very densely growing caespitose algae, dark brown in coloration with lighter upper branches. Has a prominent, spiny appearance, resembling irregularly growing E. amentacea. Characteristic creeping growth pattern where the clumped-together cauloids hold the thallus on the substrate. Fertility period unknown.
Subtidal, from 2-7 m deep, with moderate sedimentation rates.
Seemingly widespread and common along the whole Adriatic coast, but the distribution is currently not well known.