Neptune's Necklace

Hormosira banksii

Hormosira banksii - Neptune's Necklace
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Size: Thallus to 30 cm

Distribution: All SA coastal and gulf waters

Habitat: Rocky reef, on intertidal rock platforms

Depth: Mid intertidal to shallow subtidal

Hormosira banksii - Neptune's Necklace
Hormosira banksii - Neptune's Necklace

Aptly named Neptune's Necklace, this brown algae has long chains of hollow beads, or vesicles, and is yellow to olive in colour. A true intertidal algae, it can spend significant periods of time out of water. It does this by storing water in its vesicles, which it can use to replenish dehydrated tissue. This distinctive algae is rarely mistaken for any other species.