Grallatoria reptans M.Howe
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Authority
Britton, Nathaniel L. & Millspaugh, Charles F. 1920. The Bahama Flora.
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Family
Ceramiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Repent primary filaments simple or sparingly dichotomous, sinuous, 38-66 µ. in diameter, their cells 1.5-2 times as long as broad, often bulging slightly above the septum, their walls 5-13 µ. thick; opposite lateral ramuli from nearly every segment of the primary filament, the ascending prong simple, 200-400 µ (4-8 cells) long, tapering, about 20 µ in diameter near base, about 8 µ at apex, the deflexed stilt-like prong simple or once furcate, mostly 150-450 µ (4-6 cells) long, slightly tapering, 20-26 µ in diameter; dorsal erect ramuli 1-4 mm. high, springing usually from every second segment of the primary filament, their main axes 34-46 µ in diameter near base, the basal cell 1.5-2 times as long as broad, the succeeding cells mostly 3-6 times as long as broad, the penicillate, or dimidiosubfastigiate terminal divisions subsecund along the inner (anterior) faces of the divisions; tetrasporangia obovoid or pyriform, solitary, or in twos or rarely threes, 52-64 X 40-50 µ (including wall, which is 6-8 µ thick), tripartite or sometimes irregularly divided, mostly on one-celled pedicels; ovoid, globose or pyriform densely granular cysts 60-150 µ in diameter occasional, especially near the distal ends of the deflexed gralliform filaments; color of plants vinaceous-purple to dark vinaceous-brown (near the color of Wrangelia Argus).
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Discussion
Forming a soft purple or reddish-brown lubricous velutinous coating in crevices of surf-beaten rocks near the low-water mark, covering small shells, crustaceous or prostrate algae, etc. In size and habit, the plant bears some superficial resemblance to species of Acrochaetium or to Rhodochorton Rothii, but its affinities are apparently with Wrangelia, from which, however, it amply differs in the characters indicated. Great Ragged Island (Howe 578$ type and 5766).