Chlorophyta, Order: Ulvales; Family: Ulvaceae. Current accepted name: Ulva flexuosa Wulfen.

Etymology

The scientific name of the Ulva (Enteromorpha) genus refers to the tubular shape of the thallus, which resembles an intestine. Flexuosa refers to the branching out from the male axis and means: bending alternately to the right and to the left, like the passage of a snake.

Description

The Ulva (Enteromorpha) flexuosa has a tubular thallus with microscopic manifold branching. Often, the branching contains only a single row of cells. An overview shows cells arranged in vertical rows and usually also in lateral rows. The cells are either square or rectangular. The chloroplast is dented. Pyrenoids 1-2.

Size

Literature describes individuals up to 60 cm in length. Ulva (Enteromorpha) flexuosa -the thallus is characterized by manifold branchings of single-line celled branches.

Colour

The color of Ulva (Enteromorpha) flexuosa ranges between yellowish-green and greenish-blue.

Special features

The dense manifold branching and the cellular arrangement in lateral and vertical rows are unique.

Habitat

Due to the difficulty of defining the species, there is no detailed information. Around the world, it is reported in shallow waters and exposed areas.

Biology and reproduction

As in Ulva

Seasonality and distribution

The general distribution of the species is more or less universal.

Additional species

The Ulva (Enteromorpha) flexuosa is a very variable species; at least six subspecies (variants) are known.