CAULERPA SPECIES IDENTIFICATION KEY

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Red borders around photographs note species banned in the state of California


Photo: Dr. John Huisman

Caulerpa racemosa var. lamourouxii
Frond: flat to grape-like (10-15cm tall), smooth to bumpy margins bearing no branchlets to club shaped branchlets
Central Axis: flattened
Branchlets: club shaped (2-7mm diameter)
Stalk: (2-3mm)


Photo: Geoff Oldfather

Caulerpa brachypus
Frond: flat, small delicate blades (1-3cm tall, 3-5mm wide), edges of blades can be smooth or finely toothed (need to look closely to see) Blade is tapered at the base where it connects to the stalk
Stalk: (1-3mm long)


Photo: Katherine Grablow

Caulerpa prolifera
Frond: flat, erect, elongate to oval in shape (6-15cm tall) Blade is tapered at the base where it connects to the stalk
Stalk: (1-2cm tall)

 

 

 

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