Sargassum polycystum C.Aga

Order Family    Genus Fucales Sargassaceae Sargassum

Sargassum polycystum C. Agardh

Characteristics

Thallus 35 cm tall, with yellowish brown colour, attached with discoid holfast; main axis cylindrical and rough due to the presence of numerous outgrowth, supporting alternately arranged branches bearing leaves and vesicles; iIn young thalli leaves are longer and broader measuring 13 - 42 mm long including the stalk and 2.5 - 11.5 mm wide;leaves are generally oblong slightly tapered, retuse (slightly rounded)or emarginate at the tip finally serrated throughout the margin; mature thalli fewer leaves smaller, 7 - 15 mm long including stalk and 17 - 4 mm wide, oblanceolate, oblong with tapered bases, the apices are rounded, obtuse to acute outer margin is coarsely serrate; prominant midrib at a short distance from tr apex of the leaves; cryptostomates are scattered on the surface of the blade. pedunculate vesicles are ovate or spherical with a diameter of 1.5 - 3 mm.; these are tipped with spinose or thin leaf-like extensions and with few cryptostomates; vesicles may be solitary or may form clusters attached to the primary or secondary branches and are more numerous but smaller in mature thalli.

Distribution : Gulf of Kutchchh, Okha, Dwarka, (Gujarat) Bombay, Malvan,Ratnagiri, (Maharashtra),Goa, Karwar, Honawar, Bhatkal (Karnataka) Kerala.

Ecological status : Intertidal and subtidal zones

IUCN status :NE

Uses : It forms a source for production of sodium alginate, animal feed, futilizer and medicin

Culture/Cultivation :