Ulva reticulata Forsskal

Order Family    Genus Ulvales Ulvaceae Ulva

Ulva reticulata Forsskal

Characteristics

The plant is attached to a substratum throughout its life by hold fast, holdfast is a disc formed from primary cells of elongated, compact and strong nature; the thallus is an expanded sheet, 2 layered in thickness; it is a net like, pale green in colour and smooth delicate in texture; it is flat with numerous lacunae. the diameter of lacunae ranges from 0.4 to 7.0 cm. Cells in surface view re irregularly placed polygonal in shape, arranged with their long axis at right angle to the surface of the thallus ranging from 12.4 - 18.6 u to 24.8 - 27.9 u; thallus grows parallel to the substratum and grows upto 62.4 cm to 187.2 cm in length and 10 to 20 cm in width; the layers of the cells dilate in some parts of thallus and functions as air bladder; the marginal cell walls are stretched forming elongated marginal strands. these marginal strends give additional strength to the air bladder and avoid bursting very frequently; in the T.S. of the thallus, the two layers of the cells separated by a cavity are equal in height with cells taller than the broad; the cells are arranged in two layers with distinct vesicular cavity; and are covered with the thick cuticle measuring 9.3 to 12.4 u towards the surface; each cell contains single parietal chloroplast; often with deeply incised or lobed margin containing a single pyrenoid; chloroplast is mostly located on the outer side of the cell while nucleus lies adjacent to the inner wall.

Distribution : Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep.

Ecological status : Open coast (intertidal ), Estuaries and mangroves

IUCN status : Endangered

Uses : Food, animal feed, medicine

Culture/Cultivation : None