Sargassum ilicifolium

Thallus tough, to 1 m high. Main axis cylindrical, warty, 3-20 mm high, bearing several primary branches. Primary and secondary branches slightly compressed, irregularly or alternately branched. Branchlets short, cylindrical, 5-7 cm long. Phylloids of primary and secondary branches shortly stalked, oblongellipsoidal, to lanceolate, linear-lanceolate, in the latter, with asymmetrical base and rounded apex; margins irregularly dentate-serrate; midrib distinct, vanishing towards tip. Phylloids of branchlets small, obovate, 10-15 mm long, 3-8 mm wide with indistinct midrib. Vesicles numerous, shortly stalked, spherical to obovate, sometimes slightly compressed, 3(-5) mm; apex smooth, apiculate or with one-two teeth, often with ear-like wings. Cryptostomata present. Plant dioecious. Receptacles develop in axils of phylloids in racemose clusters. Male receptacles terete, to 12 mm long. Female receptacles compressed at base, triquetrous above, dentate, to 5 mm long. Attachment by discoid holdfast.

Tropics and subtropics of Indian and Pacific Oceans.